The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel pain during treatment. Some discomfort may occur post-surgery, which is manageable with prescribed painkillers.
This treatment is typically performed when conventional root canal therapy has failed to resolve the issue and offers a chance to preserve the natural tooth.
Apicectomies are a highly effective solution for saving teeth that would otherwise require extraction.
By addressing infections deep within the tooth root, patients benefit from:
Retaining their natural tooth, which maintains alignment and prevents the need for a prosthetic replacement.
Long-term relief from persistent pain or discomfort.
Prevention of further complications like abscesses or bone loss.
All of our surgeries have suspended ceilings retaining 3D natural light imagery, so you can completely relax during your time in the dentist’s chair. If you’re a little anxious before your treatment, we can pre-arrange hand signals with you, so that you feel fully in control during the procedure – it’s all about helping you to feel fully prepared and at ease.
First Treatment Visit – Examination
If you are a new patient to Olive Tree Dental a new patient exam is carried out first to ensure you are dentally fit for the treatment. A comprehensive assessment is then undertaken.
We will ask you to attend an examination, so that we can diagnose the need for the Apicectomy. We assess your needs and explain the benefits, the procedure itself and the risks of an Apicectomy. This will then be provided to you as a tailored treatment plan.
Olive Tree Dental stand out as a practice that really takes the time to listen to its patients; we feel it’s really important to get to the heart of your expectations of treatment.
We will closely study your smile and the elements that make it unique to you, so that we can gain valuable insight that will allow us to successfully plan your smile design. Your treatment will never be rushed, as we will always make sure you are happy before proceeding to the next stage of the process.
You may need to return for a second appointment for your treatment.
Second Treatment Visit
The Apicectomy is performed under local anaesthetic by a DwSI in Endodontics. The Dentist will make a small incision in the gum to expose the root top and the gum is then raised to reveal the bone & infected area.
The Dentist then removes the infected root tip and infected tissue, and a small filling is placed in the root to seal the tip. The gum is then stitched back into place with dissolvable stitches which allows for a smoother healing process.
Aftercare
Follow all recommended post-operative instructions and aftercare to ensure optimal healing, including pain management and oral hygiene. Regular check-ups will be required to track healing progress and discuss any additional care.
The procedure is carried out under local anaesthetic, so you won’t feel pain during treatment. Some discomfort may occur post-surgery, which is manageable with prescribed painkillers.
Between 30-90 minutes depending on the complexity of the case (you will be advised ahead of time so you can plan accordingly). After the procedure, you can expect some swelling and discomfort for a few hours as the anaesthetic wears off. This will be manageable with prescribed painkillers.
A: An apicectomy is usually performed using local anaesthetic, which is generally enough to numb the area around the affected tooth. However we do offer Sedation and recommend this option for those who suffer from dental phobia or are generally nervous patients. Sedation can help a patient relax during the procedure and can enhance patient experience.
Recovery typically takes a few days, but it can take up to two weeks. Swelling and tenderness can be expected but usually subside within a few days.
Yes, an apicectomy aims to save your tooth, restoring its full function and preventing further infection.
Often, yes. It is recommended when root canal retreatment has failed, providing a final opportunity to preserve your natural tooth.
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks such as infection, bleeding, or damage to surrounding tissues, but these are rare when performed by experienced clinicians.
To reduce the risk of complications, you can: stop smoking, maintain healthy oral hygiene habits, maintain a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly.
Please see our fee guide to view the costs of an Apicectomy treatment at Olive Tree Dental; as an initial indication, our prices start from £399 (per tooth). As we believe everyone should have access to successful an Apicectomy in an attempt to save the tooth if possible, we offer 0% finance* to help you spread the cost of treatment.
As we are a member-based practice, we reward patients who prioritise their oral health and hygiene by offering 10% off treatments when you become an Olive Tree Dental member and selecting one of our many affordable plans.
Our prices are set with the following in mind:
We cannot comment on what other practices in Reading offer, each practice is different, but we value the trust our patients place in our hands. Rest assured, at Olive Tree Dental, we treat our patients with the utmost care, and our aim is to have you smiling confidently.
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