APICOECTOMY AND A CORONALLY ADVANCED FLAP WITH CONNECTIVE TISSUE GRAFT PERFORMED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN A SINGLE SURGICAL PROCEDURE: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

A 60-year-old woman presented with an upper right canine that had a sinus tract with a soft tissue defect measuring 5 mm in diameter at the labial apical area and attachment loss with gingival recession of 3 mm on the labial side. The tooth required apicoectomy and root coverage, which were performed simultaneously in a single surgical procedure for three reasons: (1) with the widespread use of microscopes, established surgical procedures and specialized instruments have been developed, increasing the predictability of each procedure; (2) it has excellent cost and time performance, and can reduce patient anxiety and pain; and (3) in 2019, Nelson et al. reported that, if infection is properly controlled by apicoectomy, it is possible to perform root coverage surgery for gingival recession at the same time. Now, one year after treatment, the apical radiolucency on X-ray has disappeared, the exposed root surface is completely covered by the gums, and the periodontal pocket is within the normal range, showing good results.