Apicoectomy is a root canal surgery that aims to remove infected tissue in an individual’s tooth. The apicoectomy saves a patient tooth in case of a failed root canal. Although a root canal has an almost 90% success rate, it can still fail at times, and where it fails, it causes infection in that area. Where treatment is carried out, but the pain refuses to subside, an apicoectomy comes in to perform a surgical procedure on that area, so it doesn’t spread and affect another tooth.
How Much Does an Apicoectomy Cost?
Various factors determine the cost of an apicoectomy. Factors include:
The position of the tooth that is infected. The type of tooth that has been affected. The surgeon’s qualifications.
Surgeons with higher work experience and a good location usually charge more for an apicoectomy. Let’s swiftly dive into the cost of an apicoectomy.
Apicoectomy without dental insurance costs around $900-$1300 depending on the location, qualification of the surgeon, and the type of tooth involved.
An apicoectomy with dental insurance costs less than a non-dental insurance as the insurance company covers most of the costs. Apicoectomy with dental insurance costs around $100-$500 depending on the terms of the policy.
Other costs may include an X-Ray which the surgeon will take of the affected spot to know the process and the exact area to carry out the procedure. The patient will also undergo an X-Ray after the successful surgery to ensure everything is in place. The patient will also pay for antibiotics given before the surgery.
When the surgeon sees that the only solution is an extraction, the patient’s tooth will need to be extracted. After the patient’s tooth is extracted, it will be replaced by implants, fixed bridges, or artificial, removable dentures. Extraction costs around $75-$200.
Why Is An Apicoectomy Necessary?
An individual might be scared of undergoing an apicoectomy because of fear of pain or costs. Still, the process is not too painful as the patient will be given strong anaesthesia while the surgery is going on. So why is apicoectomy necessary?
When a patient has a severe tooth issue that has defied all dentistry means, one which a standard root canal cannot solve, an apicoectomy is needed. If tooth decay is not treated on time using an apicoectomy, the decay in the tooth might affect another tooth, and where this happens, all the teeth in the patient will need to be extracted.
Risks That Comes With An Apicoectomy
It is almost impossible to carry out any surgery, no matter how minor, without risk in some cases. There are various situations where an apicoectomy surgery fails. The surgery tends to come with some risks that we will discuss.
The first risk is that the tooth may be extracted. Where the surgery fails, the tooth may need to be extracted by a dentist, permanently removing a tooth from the socket. The second risk is Nerve damage to the tooth that may be due to the root sitting too close to another significant nerve. In cases where a patient root is close to the nerve, the dentist will not proceed with the procedure to avoid other damages and issues. The last is that further infection may occur. The infection may include a patient’s sinus, which depends on the infected tooth’s location. Where the infected tooth is toward the back of the upper jaw, it probably includes a patient’s sinus.
CONCLUSION
Before a patient undergoes an apicoectomy surgery, it is mainly done with a strong anaesthetic. The procedure of undergoing surgery usually takes about 40-90 minutes, depending on the tooth involved. For those with dental insurance, the cost of an apicoectomy is usually lower and cheaper than for those with no dental insurance.
Is it expensive to undergo an apicoectomy?
Answer: The cost of having an apicoectomy depends on whether you have dental insurance, alongside other factors that play a role in the cost. It is not too expensive to have an apicoectomy, especially when you have dental insurance.
After an apicoectomy, can the patient brush their teeth without the place being affected?
Answer: A patient can brush their tooth, but they must be careful to avoid the tooth where they had surgery.
What will happen to a patient who has an infection but refuses to undergo an apicoectomy?
Answer: If the infection spreads to all the teeth, it will require that all teeth be removed, also known as extraction—the earlier the process, the better for the patient.
What can be done when an apicoectomy fails?
Answer: Where apicoectomy fails and refuses to solve a patient’s symptom, the surgeon might also extract the tooth if that is the best way to solve the pain.
