Occasionally, a nonsurgical root canal procedure alone cannot save your tooth and your endodontist will recommend a surgical procedure called an Apicoectomy (Apico).  An incision is made in the gum tissue to expose the bone and surrounding inflamed tissue. The damaged tissue is removed along with the end of the root tip. A root-end filling is placed to prevent reinfection of the root and the gum is sutured. The bone naturally heals around the root over a period of months restoring full function.