Orthograde retreatment failure with extruded MTA apical plug in a large periradicular lesion followed by surgical intervention: case report

Absence of periapical healing after orthograde retreatment using an apical plug with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) can require surgical intervention. A patient with a root-filled maxillary central incisor with chronic apical periodontitis and sinus tract was referred for endodontic retreatment. Excessive apical enlargement was verified, indicating an MTA apical plug placement; however, an unintentional extrusion of MTA occurred during this step. The root canal was filled with gutta-percha and sealer, and periodic recalls were scheduled. The sinus tract was observed after six months and the lesion remained unaltered, although the extruded MTA had resorbed; therefore, an apicoectomy and retrograde root-end filling with MTA were performed. Absence of sinus tract, normal clinical aspect, and complete repair of the lesion were observed at the two-year follow-up.     

Periapical cyst repair after nonsurgical endodontic therapy--case report

This article presents the procedures that must be considered for periapical cyst repair after nonsurgical endodontic treatment. The case of a periapical cyst associated to the left maxillary lateral incisor is reported. Nonsurgical root canal therapy was performed and lesion healing was confirmed radiographically after 24 months. Differential diagnosis, endodontic infection control, apical foramen enlargement and filling of the cystic cavity with a calcium hydroxide paste were important procedures for case resolution.     

Nonsurgical Root Canal Therapy of Large Cyst-like Inflammatory Periapical Lesions and Inflammatory Apical Cysts

It is a general belief that large cyst-like periapical lesions and apical true cysts caused by root canal infection are less likely to heal after nonsurgical root canal therapy. Nevertheless, there is no direct evidence to support this assumption. A large cyst-like periapical lesion or an apical true cyst is formed within an area of apical periodontitis and cannot form by itself. Therefore, both large cyst-like periapical lesions and apical true cysts are of inflammatory and not of neoplastic origin. Apical periodontitis lesions, regardless of whether they are granulomas, abscesses, or cysts, fail to heal after nonsurgical root canal therapy for the same reason, intraradicular and/or extraradicular infection. If the microbial etiology of large cyst-like periapical lesions and inflammatory apical true cysts in the root canal is removed by nonsurgical root canal therapy, the lesions might regress by the mechanism of apoptosis in a manner similar to the resolution of inflammatory apical pocket cysts. To achieve satisfactory periapical wound healing, surgical removal of an apical true cyst must include elimination of root canal infection.     

Post-treatment apical periodontitis associated with a missed root canal in a maxillary lateral incisor with two roots: A case report

Missed canals can be a common cause of persistent intraradicular infection and post-treatment apical periodontitis. This article reports on a rare case of a maxillary lateral incisor with two roots exhibiting symptomatic post-treatment apical periodontitis regardless of a radiographically adequate root canal treatment. The second root, which was only revealed by cone-beam computed tomography, had passed unnoticed during the first treatment, and its missed canal was the most likely cause of symptoms and treatment failure. Reintervention including the proper management of the extra root canal and retreatment of the main canal resulted in the resolution of symptoms and periradicular tissue healing. This case report reinforces the need for three-dimensional radiographic diagnosis to search for the cause of post-treatment disease and guide the decision-making process for proper management.     

The success of endodontic therapy--healing and functionality

Current, relevant knowledge on the outcome of endodontic therapy is key to clinical decision making, particularly when endodontic treatment is weighed against tooth extraction and replacement. Inherent to reviewing the outcome is a definition of "success" in relation to the goals of therapy. As the specific goal set out by the individual patient may either be healing/prevention of disease (apical periodontitis) or just functional retention of the tooth, the potential for both healing and functionality is reviewed. Based on selected follow-up studies that offer the best evidence, the chance of teeth without apical periodontitis to remain free of disease after initial treatment or orthograde retreatment is 92 percent to 98 percent. The chance of teeth with apical periodontitis to completely heal after initial treatment or retreatment is 74 percent to 86 percent, and their chance to be functional over time is 91 percent to 97 percent. Thus there does not appear to be a systematic difference in outcome between initial treatment and orthograde retreatment. The outcome of apical surgery is less consistent than that of the nonsurgical treatment. The chance of teeth with apical periodontitis to completely heal after apical surgery is 37 percent to 85 percent, with a weighted average of approximately 70 percent. However, even with the lower chance of complete healing, the chance for the teeth to be functional over time is 86 percent to 92 percent. Considering the favorable outcome, conservative endodontic therapy, both nonsurgical and surgical, is definitely justified and should be attempted when a good restorative and periodontal prognosis is projected, unless the patient is not motivated to retain the tooth.     

Root canal treatment of an immature dens invaginatus with apical periodontitis: a case report

The purpose of this paper was to describe the case of an 11-year-old patient who presented a dens invaginatus, detected in the permanent maxillary left lateral incisor, with an immature open apex and extensive apical periodontitis and sinus tract. The mineralized invaginated barrier was removed, and a nonsurgical root canal treatment was performed using both calcium hydroxide as a root canal dressing to stimulate apexification and a mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) plug to permit root canal filling. After a 14-month period of root canal dressing changes, no evidence of apical periodontitis was observed, and the MTA plug was placed in the root canal's apical portion. The root canal filling was performed using the thermoplasticized gutta-percha technique. At the 12-month follow-up, complete radiographic periapical healing, characterized by bone formation in the area around the tooth apex, and no clinical or radiographic evidence of refractory apical periodontitis were detected.     

Resolution of Apical Periodontitis-induced Mental Nerve Paresthesia Through Nonsurgical Endodontic Retreatment: A Case Report

Paresthesia is a potential consequence of unsuccessful root canal treatment. Persistent infection resulting in apical periodontitis may enlarge sufficiently to involve the mental neurovascular bundle. The case presented in this report was referred for endodontic evaluation with a chief complaint of discomfort on mastication and persistent numbness of the lower left lip. Clinical and radiographic evaluation revealed incomplete primary endodontic treatment of the left mandibular second premolar with complex internal anatomy. The untreated root canal system resulted in the progression of apical periodontitis involving the left mental neurovascular bundle as confirmed by cone-beam computed tomography imaging. Nonsurgical root canal retreatment was performed over 2 visits. At the 3-year follow-up visit, the paresthesia had resolved with return of normal sensation. Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment may be sufficient to allow healing of large periapical lesions and resolve complications including paresthesia without the need for surgical intervention.     

Endodontic treatment of an invaginated maxillary lateral incisor with a periradicular lesion and a healthy pulp

AIM: To report the healing of a periradicular lesion following nonsurgical root canal treatment of a dental invagination. SUMMARY: A case of dens invaginatus type 3 with a periradicular lesion and a healthy pulp is reported. Nonsurgical root canal treatment of the invagination was performed successfully and resolved an associated periradicular lesion. Despite the complex anatomy and a diagnosis of apical periodontitis, pulp health was retained after endodontic treatment of the invaginated canal. Clinical considerations and treatment are discussed and reported. KEY LEARNING POINTS: Dens invaginatus can present in a variety of forms, knowledge of which can usefully inform endodontic diagnosis and treatment. In certain cases, success can be achieved by treating the invagination alone. Pulp health may be preserved during and after treatment of an infected invagination.     

Surgical management of a lateral lesion refractory to root canal retreatment caused by an extraradicular calculus. A case report

This article describes the management of a root canal-treated maxillary central incisor displaying a radiographic lateral radiolucency and a sinus tract that persisted irrespective of root canal retreatment following high standards. Endodontic microsurgery was indicated and curettage of the pathologic tissue revealed a calculus-like material attached to the outer root surface around the exit of a large lateral canal. A non-conventional approach was chosen: No root-end resection was conducted. Instead, the calculus was removed and the apical surface was scaled and smoothed, conserving the apical structure. Retrocavities were prepared in both lateral and apical foramens and filled with a bioceramic material. Follow-up examination showed optimal soft tissue healing. One-year follow-up of radiographs revealed healing of the lateral lesion. The lesion was diagnosed as a cyst, with an infected lumen. An exuberant calculus-like material attached to the external root surface was the most likely cause of the recalcitrant lateral periradicular lesion.     

Nonsurgical endodontic treatment of dens invaginatus in a mandibular premolar with large periradicular lesion: a case report

This case report describes the treatment of a dens invaginatus in a mandibular premolar with large periradicular lesion. A nonsurgical endodontic treatment was performed to tooth #28. During the treatment procedure, calcium hydroxide and a triple antibiotic paste were separately used for intracanal dressing. The apical third of the canal was obturated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), and the remaining canal space was obturated with gutta-percha and AH 26 root canal sealer, using a lateral condensation technique. At follow-up examination after 1 year, the tooth was asymptomatic and radiographically showed repair of the lesion. Healing was achieved without any need for further endodontic surgical intervention.     

Non-surgical retreatment of a failed apicoectomy without retrofilling using white mineral trioxide aggregate as an apical barrier

Root-end resected teeth with persistent apical periodontitis are usually retreated surgically or a combination of non-surgical and surgical retreatment is employed. However, patients are sometimes unwilling to be subjected to a second surgical procedure. The apical barrier technique that is used for apical closure of immature teeth with necrotic pulps may be an alternative to non-surgically retreat a failed apicoectomy. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has become the material of choice in such cases because of its excellent biocompatibility, sealing ability and osseoinductive properties. This case report describes the non-surgical retreatment of a failed apicoectomy with no attempt at retrofilling of a maxillary central incisor. White MTA was used to induce apical closure of the wide resected apical area. Four-year follow-up examination revealed an asymptomatic, fully functional tooth with a satisfactory healing of the apical lesion. White MTA apical barrier may constitute a reliable and efficient technique to non-surgically retreat teeth with failed root-end resection. The predictability of such a treatment is of great benefit for the patient who is unwilling to be submitted to a second surgical procedure.     

Repair of Extensive Apical Root Resorption Associated with Apical Periodontitis: Radiographic and Histologic Observations after 25 Years

Introduction

Root resorption is a frequent finding in teeth with apical periodontitis. In cases of severe apical periodontitis, root resorption may involve not only cementum but also dentin. Resorbed tooth structures can only be repaired with cementum because stem cells in the periradicular tissues are not capable of differentiating into odontoblasts. This article reports the repair of extensive apical root resorption associated with apical periodontitis 25 years after treatment.

Methods

A 51-year-old man presented with pulp necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis in tooth #7. The periapical radiograph showed a large radiolucent periradicular lesion and severe root resorption. Nonsurgical root canal therapy was performed. Twenty-five years after treatment, a crown fracture developed, and the tooth could not be restored. The periapical radiograph revealed complete healing of the previous apical periodontitis lesion and restoration of the resorbed root structure. The tooth was removed and examined histologically.

Results

The apical canal was almost completely filled with a cementumlike tissue with some strands of entrapped vital uninflamed connective tissue. Areas of cementum and dentin resorption in the apical third were repaired by a combination of cellular and acellular cementum to which periodontal ligament fibers were attached.

Conclusions

Root resorption caused by apical periodontitis can be restored almost to its normal structure after adequate nonsurgical root canal treatment that succeeded in controlling infection. The mechanisms behind this process are not clear but probably involve signaling pathways regulating root development, cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction, and morphogens.     

Complete Healing of a Large Cystic Lesion Following Root Canal Treatment with Concurrent Surgical Drainage: A Case Report with 14-Year Follow-Up

We describe complete healing of an extensive cystic lesion by using a conservative approach: root canal treatment with concurrent surgical drainage. A silicone Foley catheter drain was modified into a surgical drainage stent, which was then used for 4 weeks. Disinfection of the root canal was achieved by the use of hand files and irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl for a minimum of 30 minutes. The irrigant changes were performed at 5-minute intervals, and no intracanal dressing was used. At subsequent follow-up examinations, cone-beam computed tomography and periapical radiographs confirmed that complete healing had occurred around the periapical and lateral areas of affected teeth. This case report indicates the potential for healing of large cystic lesions by nonsurgical root canal treatment.     

Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment of geminated teeth: a case report

The purpose of this case presentation is to describe nonsurgical retreatment of anterior teeth with gemination. A 21-year-old male patient was referred for endodontic treatment of his maxillary left lateral incisor. In the clinical examination, a large crown was observed in the left maxillary incisor region when compared with the right maxillary lateral incisor. In the present case, a tooth gemination of a maxillary lateral incisor has been described. A periapical radiograph showed that the tooth had partially separated two crowns having a single root and one root canal, but the access cavity of the distal crown had not been opened, and the root canal had been obturated with single cone technique. Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment was decided for geminated lateral incisor. At the 6-month follow-up, the tooth was asymptomatic and there was no radiolucency around the apical region.     

Periapical repair and apical closure of a pulpless tooth using calcium hydroxide

A case with a wide-open apex and a large cystlike periapical lesion in an adult is presented. The lesion formed as a result of necrosis from trauma to a maxillary central incisor 12 years ago. After nonsurgical endodontic treatment with calcium hydroxide paste and a calcium hydroxide-containing root canal sealer, apical closure and significant healing of the periapical lesion within 15 months were observed. This report suggests that even large periapical lesions (likely cystic) could respond favorably to nonsurgical treatment.     

Endodontic Outcomes in Mandibular Second Premolars with Complex Apical Branching

Introduction

Mandibular premolars that have rare and complex anatomies may have the highest failure rate in nonsurgical endodontic treatment. Awareness of rare and complex anatomies of mandibular second premolars would aid in better outcomes of the treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the success of nonsurgical root canal treatment of mandibular second premolar teeth with complex apical branching.

Postoperative discomfort associated with surgical and nonsurgical endodontic retreatment

Abstract – Endodontic retreatment decision‐making must include an appraisal of the costs of the different strategies proposed. In addition to direct costs, postoperative discomfort may have other consequences in terms of time off work, unscheduled visits and suffering. To establish a foundation for the appraisal of such indirect and intangible costs the present study was set up in which patients' assessments of pain and swelling after surgical and nonsurgical retreatment procedures were recorded. Ninety‐two patients with 95 root‐filled incisors and canine teeth exhibiting apical periodontitis were included in the study. The mode of retreatment was randomly assigned. Each day during the first post‐treatment week patients assessed their degree of swelling and pain on horizontal 100‐mm visual analog scales (VAS). The scales ranged from “no swelling” to “very severe swelling” and “no pain” to “intolerable pain”, respectively. Consumption of self‐prescribed analgesics and time off work were also recorded. Significantly more patients reported discomfort after surgical retreatment than after nonsurgical procedures. High pain scores were most frequent on the operative day while swelling reached its maximum on the first postoperative day followed by progressive decrease both in frequency and magnitude. Postoperative symptoms associated with nonsurgical retreatment were less frequent but reached high VAS values in single cases. Analgesics were significantly more often consumed after periapical surgery. Patients reported absence from work mainly due to swelling and discoloration of the skin. This was found to occur only after surgical retreatment. Conclusively, surgical retreatment resulted in more discomfort and tended to bring about greater indirect costs than nonsurgical retreatment.     

Does the Endodontic Education Level Affect Decision-Making for Endodontically Treated Teeth With Apical Periodontitis? A Web-Based Survey

ObjectivesThe management of endodontically treated teeth with apical periodontitis is debated among clinicians. The aim of this study was to evaluate treatment choices for endodontically treated teeth with different sizes of periapical lesions among endodontists, endodontics postgraduate students, general dental practitioners, and undergraduate students who had fulfilled their theoretical and clinical training in endodontics.Materials and MethodsPeriapical lesion images (no periapical lesion and 1-mm, 3-mm, and 5-mm periapical lesions) were formed on 4 different radiographs with a software program, and the survey included 16 radiographs that were emailed to 1881 participants. Treatment options included extraction, surgical or nonsurgical retreatment, and wait and see. The χ² test was used to compare the responses of the participants.ResultsThe survey was returned by 1039 participants (55.23%). There were statistically significant differences among the responses of all participants for all cases (P < .05), except a case with a broken file and no lesion (P = .918). All participants decided to extract at an increased size from a 1-mm periapical lesion to a 5-mm periapical lesion. At all lesion sizes, general dental practitioners planned retreatment less when compared with other groups.ConclusionsThis survey study showed that there was a positive correlation between endodontic education level and retreatment decision-making. Dentists who confront seemingly hopeless endodontically treated teeth such as an instrument fracture, a missing canal, or a large periapical lesion should consult with an endodontist before making the decision to extract the tooth.     

Recurrent Apical Periodontitis and Late Endodontic Treatment Failure Related to Coronal Leakage: A Case Report

Introduction

This article describes a case of late failure after endodontic retreatment as characterized by recurrent post-treatment apical periodontitis.

Methods

At the time of the initial treatment, the patient presented with acute apical abscess associated with a tooth with pulp necrosis caused by trauma. Four years later, the tooth was retreated because of persistent disease. The follow-up examination 28 months after retreatment showed complete healing.

Results

The patient returned 11 years and 7 months later for bleaching of the discolored tooth, and although the periodontal tissues were clinically and radiographically normal, a fracture line was observed on the mesial aspect of the pulp chamber. Extraction was indicated, but the patient only returned 5 years and 9 months later. Then a radiograph showed recurrent post-treatment apical periodontitis. The tooth was extracted, and histopathologic and histobacteriologic analyses revealed bacterial colonies along the fracture line and colonizing ramifications and accessory canals at the apical root canal system.

Conclusions

Coronal leakage can be regarded as the most reasonable explanation for resurgence of the disease. However, a predisposing overlapping condition in the form of root fracture conceivably favored the penetration of bacteria from saliva and plaque biofilm along the filled root canal.     

Postoperative discomfort associated with surgical and nonsurgical endodontic retreatment

Endodontic retreatment decision-making must include an appraisal of the costs of the different strategies proposed. In addition to direct costs, postoperative discomfort may have other consequences in terms of time off work, unscheduled visits and suffering. To establish a foundation for the appraisal of such indirect and intangible costs the present study was set up in which patients' assessments of pain and swelling after surgical and nonsurgical retreatment procedures were recorded. Ninety-two patients with 95 root-filled incisors and canine teeth exhibiting apical periodontitis were included in the study. The mode of retreatment was randomly assigned. Each day during the first post-treatment week patients assessed their degree of swelling and pain on horizontal 100-mm visual analog scales (VAS). The scales ranged from "no swelling" to "very severe swelling" and "no pain" to "intolerable pain", respectively. Consumption of self-prescribed analgesics and time off work were also recorded. Significantly more patients reported discomfort after surgical retreatment than after nonsurgical procedures. High pain scores were most frequent on the operative day while swelling reached its maximum on the first postoperative day followed by progressive decrease both in frequency and magnitude. Postoperative symptoms associated with nonsurgical retreatment were less frequent but reached high VAS values in single cases. Analgesics were significantly more often consumed after periapical surgery. Patients reported absence from work mainly due to swelling and discoloration of the skin. This was found to occur only after surgical retreatment. Conclusively, surgical retreatment resulted in more discomfort and tended to bring about greater indirect costs than nonsurgical retreatment.