Apical surgery, also called surgical endodontics or retrograde endotonics, is a technique used to address and treat the lesion through a mucoperiostteal access. This technique has been largely developed especially with Dr Carr's G. recent work and the introduction of dedicated dental operating microscopes.

This choice is alternative:
-when conventional endodontic treatment is possible
-when no exact apical limit is available
-when intracanalar obstacles are present(proshtetic reconstruction,silver cones,calcified canals,resin)
-when there is a perforation at the furcation of above the bone attachment site.

 
After curettage of the periapical region and apical resection, the chamber is prepared by using the microsurgery tips. The instrument sizes are much smaller than those of burs fitted on contra-angles, even those of miniature heads,making virtually all lesions accessible (the average active point length is 3mm) These instruments can be used for the preparation of smaller cavities than conventional burs would allow while respecting the root canal axis without applying excessive pressure.

SATELEC was first manufactured to introduce fully controlled diamond coated tips whose advantages are widely recognised.

Diamond tips

They are alternative to conventional tips made of surgical grade steel and they allow a faster preparation while limiting the risk of microcracking.

The apical surgery tips are available in 2 main types:
S tips having a larger shaft and will suit the needs of every practitioner.

P tips are preferably used under binoculars or operating microscopes.