The most common surgical procedure is called an apicoectomy or root-end resection. When inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after endodontic treatment, your endodontist may perform an apicoectomy. In this procedure, the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to expose the underlying bone and the infected tissue is removed.

The very end of the root is also removed and a small filling may be placed to seal the root canal. A few sutures are placed in the gum to help the tissue heal properly.

Local anesthetics make the procedure comfortable and most patients return to their normal activities the next day.