© G16070103W. Design Services
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
All Rights Reserved 2016
This document MUST NOT be photocopied
University Teaching Trust
University Teaching Trust
Information Leaflet Control Policy:
What are the possible risks?
l Prolonged bleeding is rare but if
it occurs, pressure with a cotton
handkerchief or swab for at least 10
minutes usually stops it
l Some tooth roots lie very close to
important nerves which if damaged
may cause numbness of the lower lip
and chin on one side. If this risk is
present your surgeon will discuss it
with you
Unique Identifier: SURG 53 (16)
Review Date: August 2018
For further information on this leaflet, it’s references
and sources used, please contact 0161 206 4731.
Copies of this information are available in other
languages and formats upon request.
In accordance with the Equality Act we will make
‘reasonable adjustments’ to enable individuals
with disabilities, to access this treatment / service.
Apicectomy
If you need this interpreting please telephone
l Occasionally the gum will shrink back
slightly following surgery, which may
expose the margin of a crown if one is
present
l The operation is occasionally
unsuccessful at removing the infection.
If unsuccessful after 2 attempts the
tooth is probably better removed
Contact details:
Oral Surgery Department:
0161 206 4731
Email:
[email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Under the Human Tissue Act 2004,
consent will not be required from
living patients from whom tissue
has been taken for diagnosis or
testing to use any left over tissue
for the following purposes: clinical
audit, education or training relating
to human health, performance
assessment, public health monitoring
and quality assurance.
If you object to your tissue being used
for any of the above purposes, please
inform a member of staff immediately.
Salford Royal NHS
Foundation Trust
Stott Lane,
Salford,
Manchester,
M6 8HD
Telephone
0161 789 7373
www.srft.nhs.uk
Salford Royal
operates a
smoke-free
policy.
For advice on
stopping
smoking
contact
the Hospital
Specialist
Stop Smoking
Service on
0161 206 1779
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become a
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Trust Member
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how this document
could be improved
in the future then
please visit:
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nhs.uk/for-patients
Turnberg Building
Oral Surgery
0161 206 4731
The Problem
What is the Treatment?
An infection has occurred at the tip of
the root or roots of a tooth, spreading
into the bone that supports the tooth.
People may be unaware of the problem
but usually there is discomfort, episodes
of swelling, gumboils or bad taste.
An apicectomy is a small surgical
procedure designed to cure an infection
at the tip of the root or roots of a tooth.
It is carried out when it is impossible for
your dentist to cure the infection.
Why do I need Treatment?
A small cut is made in the gum, which is
then lifted off the bone. Access through
the bone to the root tip is made using a
drill. The infection is cleaned out, part of
the root tip removed and a small filling
placed in the end of the root. The gum is
replaced with dissolvable stitches.
If left untreated the infection will spread,
possibly developing into an abscess or
cyst, or damaging bone around the teeth.
The tooth may become loose. The
infection cannot be cured with
antibiotics, but they are often used to
give temporary relief of symptoms.
It is most frequently carried out under
local anaesthetic (injection into the gum).
What can I expect after the
operation?
As the local anaesthetic wears off a few
hours after surgery there may be some
discomfort but this is quite variable.
This is usually managed with a painkiller
such as Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
Antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Some swelling at the operation site and
sometimes overlying skin is normal. This
is worse 24 - 48 hours after the operation
and resolves over the next few days.
It is important to keep the site of surgery
as clean as possible. The area can be
brushed gently with a toothbrush
softened in hot water, together with
warm salty mouthwash (teaspoon of salt
in a beaker of warm water), 2 - 3 times a
day, beginning the day after surgery and
continuing for 1 week.
© G16070103W. Design Services, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust,
All Rights Reserved 2016. Document for issue as handout.
Unique Identifier: SURG 53 (16). Review date: August 2018