The aim of the Endodontic treatment ( root canal treatment ) is to properly clean and disinfect the root canals and hermetically seal them to prevent possible reinfection. There are some cases where this cannot be accomplished through the coronal portion of the tooth, in cases like these, surgical endodontic treatment could be performed to save the tooth.

The term Surgical endodontics refers to all surgical procedures which are performed through the surrounding gingival tissue and the supporting bone to save a tooth. These include the apicoectomy, hemisection and root amputation.