Apex

The very tip or end of the tooth's root. It contains a tiny opening (apical foramen) where nerves and blood vessels enter the tooth from the jawbone.

Why It Matters

This is the "choke point" for tooth infections. If a cavity kills the nerve, bacteria travel down the canal and exit through the apex, causing an abscess in the bone.

Clinical Details

• Pathology: Periapical Abscess (infection at the apex).
• Treatment: Root canal therapy seals this opening.

FAQ

Can an infection at the apex heal itself?

No. Once the nerve is dead, the infection at the apex will grow until treated with a root canal or extraction.