Dolman Oral Surgery
Apicoectomy
Saving a tooth after prior treatment.
Surgical root canal to clear infection and save a tooth after prior treatment. Performed by a board-certified oral & maxillofacial surgeon at Dolman Oral Surgery in Midtown Manhattan.
When A Root Canal Isn’t Enough
An apicoectomy is often referred to as a surgical root canal. To better explain, the tip of the tooth is referred to as the "apex" of the tooth, and the term "ectomy" means to excise or cut.
Therefore an apicoectomy can be defined as cutting or excising the tip of a tooth. The treatment is usually required when an individual has a "toothache" in a tooth that has already had a root canal procedure.
Determining If You Need Treatment
How Do I Know If I Need An Apicoectomy?
Typically, an individual will complain of pain associated with a tooth that may occur with or without swelling. This would create the need to visit the dentist. The dentist will examine the patient and take the appropriate x-rays. If the toothache is identified as occurring in a tooth that has already received root canal treatment, then an apicoectomy may be required. The patient should then be referred to a board certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon for evaluation.
Alternately, the patient may have no complaints at all, but the dentist may identify a new infection or cyst at the tip of a tooth that has already had a root canal treatment.
At Dolman Oral Surgery, Dr. Robert M. Dolman will carefully examine you and review the appropriate x-rays. He will determine at that time if an apicoectomy is the appropriate treatment or if alternate options are available.
Treatment Options
What Are My Options Other Than An Apicoectomy?
If a "toothache" exists in a tooth that has already had a root canal treatment, or a new infection occurs in the absence of pain, then the first option may be to redo the root canal treatment which is referred to as a "retreatment."
Dr. Dolman may refer you to an endodontist (root canal specialist) to accomplish a retreatment and help avoid the need for surgery.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Typical Apicoectomy Treatment Course
Assessment
Once it has been determined that an apicoectomy is the appropriate treatment, Dr. Dolman will review the nature of the procedure and its associate risks/benefits and expected outcomes.
Treatment
On the day of the treatment, you will be escorted into the treatment room and the required anesthesia will be provided. Local anesthesia is generally appropriate and if desired, Dr. Dolman is able to provide you with intravenous sedation to make your treatment as comfortable as possible.
Treatment will completed with both magnification and ultrasonic instrumentation – the industry’s highest standards.
Recovery & After Care
After surgery, the patient will be observed in the office and discharged when appropriate. Follow up will be arranged for the following week. Typically, recovery is rapid with perhaps 1-3 days of minor swelling and discomfort. Patients can usually resume usual activities within 24 hours.
What Patients Say
“I was very afraid of surgery, but it was easy in the end. Dr. Dolman has the most amazing bedside manner — one of the best doctors I’ve ever encountered — and I’m fully healed now with no complications.”
— Laura B. · Google“I wish I could give Dr. Dolman a hundred stars. Many practices refused my case because I have a clotting disorder — he was the only doctor who didn’t, and both surgeries went extremely well.”
— Yasmin V. · Google“After several doctors misdiagnosed my daughter, Dr. Dolman discovered the problem and got to the root cause. We felt safe and cared for — he explained everything clearly and was incredibly kind.”
— Mery V. · GoogleGet Started
Schedule your apicoectomy consultation
Book online in under a minute, or call and we’ll find a time that works.
We look forward to caring for you.
Visit us in Midtown Manhattan. We’re happy to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you book a time that works.
16 E 52nd Street, #402, New York, NY 10022
Mon–Fri: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM