An apicectomy, also known as a root-end resection, is a surgical procedure that is performed on a tooth when the tip of the root is damaged or infected.
The procedure involves removing the damaged or infected tissue from the tip of the root and filling the area with a filling material to seal it.
The purpose of an apicectomy is to prevent the spread of infection to surrounding tissues and to preserve the tooth. The procedure is usually performed by a specialist in endodontics (root canal therapy), and is considered a relatively complex procedure. The success rate of apicectomies is generally high, and most patients are able to maintain the treated tooth for many years after the procedure.