Apicoectomy is a dental surgery that involves the removal of the tip of a tooth's root. The word is spelled using a combination of Latin and Greek roots. The prefix "apico" comes from the Greek word "apex," which means tip or summit. The suffix "-ectomy" comes from the Latin word "ectomia," which means the excision or cutting out of a part of the body. The IPA phonetic transcription for apicoectomy is /ə-pi-koh-ek-tuh-mee/. Understanding the etymology behind complex medical terms can help to better understand their meaning.
Apicoectomy is a dental surgical procedure also known as root-end resection or root-end surgery. It involves the removal of the apex, or tip, of a tooth's root and the surrounding infected tissue or cyst. This procedure is typically performed by an endodontist, a dentist specializing in root canal treatments and other dental surgeries.
Apicoectomy is usually necessary when a root canal treatment fails or there is persistent infection or inflammation in the root of a tooth. This can occur if the root canal treatment did not effectively remove all the infected tissue or in cases where a secondary infection has occurred. It can also be necessary if an obstruction, such as a broken file or a calcified canal, prevents proper access and cleaning during root canal treatment.
The apicoectomy procedure involves making a small incision in the gum tissue to expose the root of the tooth. The infected tip of the root is then carefully removed, along with any infected or inflamed tissue. The endodontist may also clean and shape the remaining root canal to ensure the removal of all infected material. Finally, the root-end is sealed with a biocompatible material to prevent reinfection, and the incision is sutured.
Following an apicoectomy, patients may experience some discomfort or swelling, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication or prescribed antibiotics. It is important to follow post-operative instructions provided by the endodontist to ensure proper healing and to prevent any complications.
Overall, an apicoectomy is a dental surgical procedure that aims to eliminate infection and promote healing in the root of a tooth when conventional root canal treatment alone is not sufficient.
Excision of the apex of a tooth-root.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "apicoectomy" is derived from Greek and Latin roots.
The term "apico-" comes from the Greek word "apex", meaning "tip" or "peak". In dentistry, it refers to the apex or the tip of a tooth root.
The suffix "-ectomy" comes from the Latin word "ectomia", which means "cutting out" or "removal". It is often used in medical terminology to describe a surgical procedure involving the removal of a specific part of an organ or tissue.
Therefore, an "apicoectomy" refers to a surgical procedure in which the apex or the tip of a tooth root is removed. It is a dental surgery performed to treat certain dental conditions such as persistent infections or root canal failure.