When is it needed?
We only consider a root tip resection when other treatments have not had the desired effect. Reasons include:
- Root canal treatment has not cleared the inflammation or infection, or was unsuccessful in the past.
- A cyst or granuloma has formed at the root tip – benign tissue changes caused by chronic inflammation that affect the tooth and jawbone.
- A fracture or a complex procedure, such as fitting a crown or bridge, has changed the structure of the tooth and made it more prone to inflammation.
Diagnosis
We examine the affected tooth and surrounding tissue thoroughly – clinically, with X-rays and, if needed, 3D imaging (CBCT). This lets us assess the condition of the tooth, inflammation, infection and other possible causes of your symptoms accurately.
Procedure
In a root tip resection we remove the tip of the tooth root to treat inflammation or infection in the surrounding jawbone.
- Anaesthesia: the procedure is carried out as an outpatient under local anaesthesia, injected near the affected tooth.
- Surgery: it usually takes 15–30 minutes. We open the gum, expose the bone and root tip and remove the inflamed tip. We then clean and seal the root canals so that no bacteria can enter the tissue.
- Closure: we close the gum, usually with self-dissolving stitches. Sometimes we fill the bone with augmentation material to help it heal well.
Aftercare
Pain and swelling can occur in the first few days. Rinsing regularly with an antiseptic mouthwash, cooling and painkillers relieve the discomfort. Good oral hygiene and regular check-ups help prevent complications.
Alternatives
We decide together with you which treatment is right – with the aim of keeping the tooth for the long term.
- Root canal retreatment: the tooth is reopened, the canal carefully cleaned, disinfected and sealed again – especially if the inflammation is not too advanced.
- Extraction: if a resection is too risky or unlikely to succeed. The gap can then be closed with a bridge, partial denture or implant.
- Laser treatment: the root canal is disinfected with a laser. The approach is promising but not yet an established routine treatment.
- Microsurgical root tip resection: using an operating microscope and special instruments, we clean and fill the root canals more precisely and spare the surrounding tissue. This means less pain and better wound healing, and makes it more likely that you keep your own tooth – often avoiding a bridge or implant.