The most common endodontic surgical procedure is an apicoectomy or root-end resection. It is used to relieve inflammation or infection in the bony area around the end of your tooth that continues after endodontic treatment. The endodontist opens the gum tissue and removes the infected tissue and may remove the very end of the root. A small filling may be placed to seal the root canal. Endodontists use local anesthetics, like those used when you have a cavity filled.
Most patients return to their normal activities the next day.
For more on surgery, see Endodontic Surgery .