Hemisection

This procedure involves removal of one-half of a tooth. The remaining half will be restored as a one-rooted tooth, and is usually attached or anchored to an adjacent tooth, for additional support and stability.

Root Amputation

Root amputation refers to the removal of one root in a multi-rooted tooth.

These procedures may become options for treatment when there is a persistent endodontic failure in ONLY one root of a "key tooth" which must be kept, or if there is significant bone loss around an individual root due to periodontal (gum) disease. With the advent of modern dental implants, hemisection and root amputation are often done as a "temporary measure" to allow enough bone healing, so an implant can be placed at a later date.