apicoectomy /ap′ikō•ek″təmē/ [L, apex + Gk, ektomē, excision] , (in dentistry) surgical removal of the apex or the apical portion of an infected or damaged tooth root, which is then sealed with a special type of dental amalgam, usually in conjunction with apical curettage or root canal therapy. The goal of the procedure is to prolong the useful life of the tooth. Also called apicectomy, partial root amputation, root resection, root-end resection.
