The most common endodontic surgical procedure is called apicectomy or root end resection.

When inflammation or infection persists in the bony area around the end of your tooth after endodontic treatment, your endodontist may perform an apicectomy. In this procedure, the endodontist opens the gum tissue near the tooth to expose the underlying bone, and the infected tissue is removed. The very end of the root is also removed, and a small filling may be placed to seal the root canal. Local anaesthetics make the procedure comfortable, and most patients return to their normal activities the next day.