Planned Service · Opening Early 2027
Endodontic Microsurgery & Apicoectomy in Merrick, NY
When a tooth cannot heal with nonsurgical treatment alone, endodontic microsurgery treats the problem directly at the tip of the root. The most common microsurgical procedure is the apicoectomy. Microsurgery is a planned service at Merrick Endodontics, the specialty practice in development in Merrick, NY, opening early 2027.
What is an apicoectomy?
In an apicoectomy (root-end surgery), the specialist makes a small opening in the gum near the affected tooth to reach the tip of the root. The very end of the root is precisely removed along with any infected tissue around it, the end of the canal is prepared and sealed with a small root-end filling, and the gum is closed with fine sutures. Working through a dental operating microscope — with magnification and illumination far beyond the naked eye — is what makes modern microsurgery so precise, and outcomes with microsurgical technique are dramatically better than with older surgical methods.
When is microsurgery recommended?
- A root canal or retreatment has not fully healed, and infection persists at the root tip
- The canals cannot be cleaned from above because of a post, a blockage, or complex anatomy
- A diagnostic look is needed — for example, to check for a root fracture that imaging cannot confirm
- Calcified canals or separated instruments prevent complete nonsurgical treatment
How microsurgery and retreatment fit together
Microsurgery is rarely the first step. Usually a tooth is first considered for root canal therapy or retreatment, because cleaning the whole canal system from inside addresses the source of infection most completely. Surgery becomes the right tool when the inside route is blocked or has already been tried, or when the problem is isolated at the root end. 3D CBCT imaging is essential to planning: it maps the roots, the bone, and nearby structures before surgery begins.
Recovery after apicoectomy
Apicoectomy is a focused outpatient procedure performed with local anesthesia. Most patients manage recovery with over-the-counter or briefly prescribed pain relief, some swelling for a few days, and sutures that are removed or dissolve within about a week. Most return to normal routines within a day or two. Our guide to what to expect after endodontic treatment covers general recovery guidance.
Related planned services
Frequently asked questions
Is an apicoectomy painful?
The procedure itself is performed with the area fully numbed. Some soreness and swelling for a few days afterward are normal and are usually well managed with recommended pain relievers and cold compresses.
How successful is endodontic microsurgery?
With modern microsurgical technique — operating microscope, ultrasonic root-end preparation, and advanced filling materials — success rates are high and far better than with traditional root-end surgery. A specialist will review the specific outlook for your tooth after imaging and examination.
Can every tooth be saved with surgery?
No. If a root is vertically fractured or the tooth lacks enough bone support or healthy structure to be restored, surgery will not give a predictable result, and extraction with a planned replacement may be the better choice.
Is Merrick Endodontics performing apicoectomies now?
Not yet. Merrick Endodontics is in development in Merrick, NY, planned to open in early 2027, and is not yet accepting patients. If you need surgical care today, please ask your general dentist for a referral to a practicing endodontist.