Apicos...obsolete...do you work for an implant company or what??? I would like to see some current research that claims apicos are obsolete.
Implants are a lot more successful than they used to be and depending on case selection are great. Apicos are very viable procedures that work - not to mention that they are really cool. Ever seen one? I hope to do a lot of surgical endo someday.
Just because an implant may be your last chance doesn't mean you should jump there prematurely. Implants do occasionally have problems too. If your RCT is failing, retreatment (by an endodontist) or surgery (apico by an endodontist) are both great ways to save your tooth. I would personally do this before pulling the sucker and placing an implant.
My advice...listen to your dentist...go to an endodontist...and then follow his guidance. Good luck.