Dentistry · Oral & Dental · Hard
Apicectomy
Meaning: Surgical removal of the tip of a tooth root along with surrounding infected tissue through the gum.
In practice: When retreatment failed, an apicectomy was carried out to remove the persistent infection.
Word parts
- -ectomy means surgical removal
Many medical words are built from Greek and Latin parts like these, so learning a few helps you work out new terms.
Quick check
Two questions on related dentistry words.
Which word means: The anatomical area where the roots of a multi-rooted tooth divide.
Answer: Furcation
Which word means: Paste, gel or powder used with a toothbrush to clean and polish the teeth.
Answer: Dentifrice
Words like apicectomy come up in the daily game
One medical word a day, then a quick three-question quiz. Free on iPhone, or play in your browser on Android and computer.