Question 1

Do you actually perform surgery on Saturdays?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Apicoectomy and other endodontic microsurgical procedures are available on Saturdays from 8 AM to 3 PM by appointment. We do not perform major surgery as a same-day walk-in — surgical cases are scheduled in advance after a consultation visit (which can also be on a weekend). To our knowledge we are one of the only Bay Area endodontic offices that performs scheduled microsurgery on weekends.

Question 2

Is there a weekend surgical fee?

Accepted Answer

No. Saturday surgery fees are identical to weekday surgery fees. Apicoectomy typically costs $1,400–$1,900 depending on tooth position and complexity, with most PPO plans covering 50–80% as a major service (ADA codes D3410 anterior, D3421 premolar, D3425 molar, D3426 each additional root).

Question 3

What's the success rate of apicoectomy?

Accepted Answer

Modern endodontic microsurgery — performed with an operating microscope, ultrasonic root-end preparation, and bioceramic root-end filling material — has a pooled 1-year success rate of approximately 94% (Setzer et al., Journal of Endodontics 2010 meta-analysis). That is substantially higher than traditional 'old-style' apical surgery from before 2000, which is still what some general dental offices reference. Choosing a specialist who performs modern microsurgical apicoectomy is the single biggest factor in long-term outcome.

Question 4

What's the recovery like? Can I really return to work Monday?

Accepted Answer

Most patients have mild to moderate swelling for 2–3 days, manageable with ibuprofen and ice. Sutures come out at 5–7 days. The vast majority of patients are comfortable returning to desk work the Monday following a Saturday surgery. Patients with physically demanding jobs may want to plan one additional day off.

Question 5

Do you offer IV sedation for weekend microsurgery?

Accepted Answer

No. Apicoectomy is routinely performed under local anesthesia at our office. Modern microsurgical technique (small incisions, microscope precision, gentle tissue handling) makes the procedure far less invasive than the surgery of 20+ years ago, and most patients report it as more comfortable than they expected. We can prescribe oral anxiolytic medication for patients with significant dental anxiety; please discuss this at your consultation.

Question 6

Do I need a consultation before scheduling surgery?

Accepted Answer

Yes — surgery is always preceded by a consultation visit that includes CBCT 3D imaging of the surgical site to map root anatomy, sinus proximity, and the position of adjacent nerves. The consultation can be scheduled on a Saturday too. If the CBCT findings change the recommended treatment (sometimes retreatment becomes feasible after all), we tell you before any surgical date is set.

Question 7

I'm driving from San Francisco / the East Bay / Santa Cruz — is one Saturday trip realistic?

Accepted Answer

Many of our weekend microsurgery patients drive 45–60 minutes each way. The procedure plus recovery monitoring takes about 2 hours in-office, and you should not drive yourself home — please arrange a ride. Total Saturday time commitment is typically 3–4 hours including travel.

Question 8

Why apicoectomy instead of just another retreatment?

Accepted Answer

Apicoectomy is appropriate when non-surgical retreatment either isn't possible (a well-fitting post-and-core that can't be safely removed, a separated instrument blocking the canal, an unnavigable ledge) or has already been attempted and failed. The decision is made case-by-case, ideally with CBCT review. Modern apicoectomy reaches ~94% success — comparable to a first-time root canal — when the tooth is otherwise restorable and the surgical site is accessible.

Weekend Apicoectomy in the Bay Area — Saturday Endodontic Microsurgery · Sunnyvale