ABSTRACT
Surgical endodontics aims to treat microbial infection of the root canal and peri-radicular tissues, which persist following conventional orthograde treatment. Surgical procedures include apicectomy (root-end resection) usually in association with retrograde root filling, lateral perforation repair, root resection and hemisection. The most frequently performed procedure is apicectomy with retrograde root filling usually following unsuccessful orthograde treatment. Success rates have been shown to increase with recent advances in technique, including root-end resection without a bevel, the use of ultrasonics for root-end cavity preparation and the move away from amalgam as the restorative material of choice. Success rates of between 50% and 80% were quoted, with the highest success rates for upper anterior teeth. Full radiographic healing is now being reported in more than 90% of cases, with most studies suggesting over 80% with full healing at one year. This improvement in initial outcome is likely to reduce the need for repeat surgery.
