Root Resection/Amputation
When a patient's molar has a damaged or diseased root, a root resection or amputation can be performed to maintain and preserve the healthy portion of the molar.
Your upper molars have three roots, while your lower molars only have two. One infected root is enough to spread the disease to surrounding gum tissue.
Depending on how far the gum disease has progressed, dental root amputation can be an effective way to avoid a whole tooth extraction.