Bony lid approach for apicoectomy of mandibular molars

Apicoectomy in the lower molar region is indicated in many instances to avoid the need for prosthetic appliances. Nevertheless it is a method sometimes rejected by oral surgeons because of the thickness of the buccal compact bone in the lower molar area leading to extensive bone loss in addition to a restriction of vision and access during the operation. The present study reports twenty-four cases of apicoectomized mandibular molars treated with the bony lid approach which facilitates considerably the apicoectomy procedure. Once part of the buccal compact bone in the periapical area of the molars is removed, favourable conditions are created for the completion of the operation under direct vision of the operational field. The replacement of the buccal compact bone then minimizes the dimensions of the remaining bone cavity.