Tooth hemisection

Tooth hemisection is a type of endodontic surgery in which a root and its overlying portion of the crown are separated from the rest of the tooth, and optionally removed. It contrasts with root resection, where a root is removed while leaving the crown intact, and an apicoectomy, where only the tip of the root is removed.[1]

A hemisection is only performed on molars, which have 2 to 3 roots. Incisors, canines, and lower premolars only have 1 root each. Hemisections are also usually performed on the lower molars rather than the upper molars. During a hemisection, a general dentist or periodontist cuts the molar in half. The root and crown on the affected side are removed.[2]