Where is the apex?
The apex is the end of the root of a tooth. The root canal and the surrounding tissues meet in this small area. That is why the word often appears in X-ray reports, explanations of root-canal treatment and conversations about inflammation around a root tip.
Apex is not the same as apicoectomy
Apex names a place. An apicoectomy is surgery at that place. A clinician may reach an inflamed area and remove the very end of the root when a problem persists after previous root-canal treatment. Seeing the word apex in a report does not itself mean that surgery is required.
Where may you see the term?
- in a description of inflammation around a root tip;
- during root-canal treatment or retreatment;
- in an X-ray or CBCT report;
- when root-end surgery is being discussed.
Questions to ask your clinician
- What exactly can be seen around the root tip?
- Is monitoring or a repeat check an option?
- Are we discussing treatment, retreatment or surgery?
- What alternatives and next steps fit this tooth?
Sources
Traceable external sources
