A follow-up study of apicoectomized teeth with total loss of the buccal bone plate

Opinions differ as to whether or not teeth with advanced marginal bone loss should be subjected to periapical surgery. The purpose of this retrospective investigation was to study the results after apicoectomy on teeth that showed total buccal bone loss at the time of the operation. The material consisted of twenty-seven teeth in 27 patients, fifteen males and twelve females, 23 to 63 years old at the time of the operation. The observation time varied from 0.5 to 7 years (mean, 3 years). Ten operations (37%) were regarded as successful, nine (33%) as uncertain, and eight (30%) as unsuccessful. The success rate was not so low that an apicomarginal communication should be regarded as a contraindication for apicoectomy. Apicoectomy should be performed, especially if the alternative is an otherwise unnecessary prosthetic reconstruction.