Professional and sensitive to patients needs.
Standard root canals treat infections from inside the tooth's canal system by removing damaged pulp. However, because root structures possess microscopic, branching networks near the apex, bacteria can occasionally hide and persist at the very tip of the root. This is often caused by complex local anatomy, an undetected accessory canal, or a tiny micro-fracture near the apex. An apicoectomy bypasses the upper tooth crown entirely, approaching the persistent infection surgically from beneath the gum line. By removing the actively infected tissue along with the last few millimeters of the root tip, we clear out the bacterial reservoir and apply a bioceramic seal from below to prevent re-infection.
Best when: The original root canal filling material can be easily accessed, canals were missed during initial therapy, or inadequate filling depth can be safely cleaned and replaced non-surgically.
Not ideal when: A permanent post or complex porcelain crown makes entering the tooth highly destructive, internal root anatomy is blocked, or infection is locked tightly at the root tip.
Best when: The existing root canal filling is dense and well-filled, an expensive post or crown cannot be safely disturbed, and the persistent infection is isolated exclusively at the root tip.
Key advantage: A precise microsurgical approach cleans and seals the root end from the outside, achieving a 85%–95% success rate to save your natural tooth.
Best when: The tooth structure is non-restorable, a vertical root fracture is present, or both non-surgical and surgical endodontic attempts have failed.
Not ideal as a first resort: Losing a natural tooth has permanent structural and financial consequences. We always exhaust tooth-saving options first.
The Microsurgical Sequence
Local anesthesia is thoroughly administered to secure complete numbness. Conscious sedation options are available for highly anxious patients. You will feel pressure but no sharp pain.
A small incision is made in the gum tissue near the root apex. The persistent infection and inflamed tissue are thoroughly removed from around the root end under direct vision.
The final few millimeters of the root tip are removed. The root end is prepared and sealed with a advanced, biocompatible retro-filling material to permanently prevent re-infection from below.
The gum tissue is gently sutured back into place. Over the next 3 to 6 months, natural bone structure heals completely over the sealed root tip. The tooth remains fully functional.
We perform apicoectomies directly in our familiar, comfortable office environment — completely avoiding the extended wait lists, travel times, and high specialist costs of an external endodontic surgery clinic.
Our team utilizes specialized high-power surgical loops and illuminated magnification tools during root end surgery. This allows for microscopic precision that is impossible without enhanced visualization.
We believe your biological teeth are always worth fighting for. We recommend an apicoectomy only when clinical data confirms the tooth has an excellent long-term prognosis. If extraction is necessary, we tell you honestly.
Professional and sensitive to patients needs.
Great dentist and coworkers!
Service was on time and very friendly.
Hygienist was great,and Dr.'s explanation of teeth matters explained throughly.
I've been really impressed with the service and the quality of work. This visit provides…
Amazing Dental Care. From the Receptionist, throughout the whole process, Everyone makes you feel special….
Today, I had a cleaning of my teeth at Crystal Dental. The service I received…
All employees are very nice and listen to ymy issues and explain what needs to…
All of the staff are so very friendly. They always get to me on time….
They were very nice and took care of me right from the start
The dentist is very cordial and respectful. I appreciate the care she gives.
I had a wonderful experience. The dental hygienist was very nice and was also encouraging…
Great attention to detail.
I had an exam with Dr Nguyen, that was very thorough. I appreciate his comprehensive…
Great experience! Very thorough, friendly & gentle. They provide detailed explanations of procedures and upfront…
I like Dr. Nyugen my dentist here at Dental Crystal River – Waupaca very professional…
Very nice, I was totally comfortable. Thanks.
Good experience! Dr.Saad, assistant Lisa, and hygienist Angela have all been very professional and helpful….
I had work done in both Waupaca and Wausau locations over the past year. Doctors…
Very good. On time and thorough.
Met Hygienist Angela today for the first time. She was extremely thoughtful, thorough and educational….
Great and helpful always listens to my concerns
I appreciate their honest work and explanation of what is going on when I get…
Dentist, associates, & all office staff are absolutely awesome. They don’t treat their patients as…
Very sad to see Doctor Lap Nguyen had left sure enjoyed going to have him…
She was awesome. She was concerned and listened to me
I've been with crystal river for about a year now and they have been nothing…
Glad to be here: good listeners, good attention to detail, and hospitable. All make you…
Everything they did was pain free. Thank you
After starting in 2022, at CRD, I was happy the practice finally settled down with…
Dr. B was thorough and I am glad that my son had his chipped tooth…
I had my bottom teeth removed. I had no bruising, swelling or any pain, just…
First visit to Crystal River Dental. The staff was very accommodating and helpful.
Very professional and friendly.
Tina was excellent in what she was doing with my teeth. Was able to get…
You really care about your clients!!! More than the one I had after40 plus years…
Dr. Lap Nguyen was the dentist I saw today, and I was very impressed. I…
I had my first visit. I had to miss my first appointment….The staff was very…
Great experience at Crystal River Dental. My Hygienist, Angela did an outstanding job and I…
The assistants and the doctor are very nice and explains things very well.
I chatted with hygienist and dentist. Both were nice and knowledgeable. I had a filling…
It was a great experience, they were very unstanding and very kind.
Very kind and efficient. Friendly staff.
The cleaning was done in a relatively painless way. The exam was thorough and I…
I always feel very cared about. 😊 I am cared about as a person compassionately…
Very friendly and efficient, best dentist I've ever had. Due to exposed roots teeth are…
Very pleased! As an itinerant substitute dentist she did a fantastic and thorough job.
Every was nice and helpful.
Dr Nguyen is a very knowledgeable and caring person..he explains options and the why of…
Everyone is very polite and helpful. I had to make a last minute appointment because…
I thought she is very kind and gentle! Gave me good advice for future care!
Very thorough exam and nice people!
Always a pleasant experience Thank you
As a first time patient, I was very happy with the hygienist and the dentist.
The staff at Crystal River Dental is very professional, friendly & efficient. I am so…
They have always done a great job with my regular teeth cleaning. got same day…
Very friendly and great service
Thank you for getting me in today you made my day.
Dr. Nguyen and all the staff have been friendly, helpful, very skilled, and very good…
Very through and honest dentist. Sugested but did not try 2 push expensive improvements.
I'm very pleased with the service and the professionalism at Crystal River dental. I felt…
I couldn’t be happier with Crystal River Dental. Everyone from the front desk to the…
The new dentist was very friendly and good and the hygienist was great.
Very professional and thorough.
Routine 6 mo cleaning and exam today. Punctuality is appreciated. Comfortable, painless procedures done in…
They are very friendly an efficient
Love this place & the Dentist! They are efficient, friendly and realistic! They work with…
First experience went awesome & I look forward to my future visits! I broke my…
Very friendly and professional staff.They are honest and do a great job.
This dentist made me feel BEYOND comfortable! I have never had a dentist so forward,…
For the first time in my life I am not afraid to go to the…
Had a crown done today, always professional and painless work done by the dentist here…
Friendly Staff and the dentist is the best dentist I’ve ever been to 😊
Amazing from when you first walk in the door until you leave. Everyone treats you…
I was very pleased with the staff and Dr. Matte. Thank you.
Very competent and friendly people. Angela did a great job cleaning my teeth.
Jan, their dental hygienist did a fabulous job cleaning my teeth. Very knowledgeable and thorough.
Everyone there is friendly. The office is spotless and the hygenists are very thorough. Office…
Love the dentist! They are very caring and efficient.
Great experience! Made me feel very comfortable and wanted to make sure I was okay…
The appointment was right on time. My cleaning was great without discomfort. Dr. did a…
The young lady that cleaned my teeth was very thorough and had a very pleasant…
Crystal River Dental is a top notch practice from top to bottom. Highly competent and…
A perfect place with super-professional people who provide excellent service. I was extremely satisfied with…
CRD stands behind its work and products Rarely do you see a company that has…
The non-surgical alternative to an apicoectomy — highly appropriate when the internal root canal system can be completely renegotiated and cleaned.
Initial endodontic root therapy — the non-surgical baseline treatment that always precedes the need for an apicoectomy in most cases.
If a tooth ultimately cannot be saved due to a root fracture, a custom dental implant serves as our gold standard permanent replacement option.
We provide advanced micro-endodontic diagnostics and gentle surgical therapies for families throughout Waupaca, WI.
Request an appointment and our dental team will help you find a convenient time.
"*" indicates required fields