Hi fistula_help,

Yes, if a root canal and subsequent root canal retreatment fail, then most endodontists recommend the procedure you refer to where the root of the tooth is cut - which is an apicoectomy. Bryanna has spoken about this procedure in other threads but I will say that in my opinion - it seems that by the time you're confronted with an apicoectomy as an option, it just seems better to extract the tooth. I'm looking at that eventuality myself, but am holding off for financial and other reasons at the moment.

Luckily for you, it seems that you are not at the apico stage yet. Your decision seems to be between an initial root canal versus an extraction.