Options: retreatment versus a surgical approach

Post operative x-ray 9 months after root canals on #27,28 

Original root canal was completed in my office.  Patient was asymptomatic but radiolucent areas were still present.  Patient desired no additional treatment.

1 year post operative x-ray

Same as 9 months

Pre-operative x-ray / 6 year check up

There was a significant change in radial lucency and the tooth was becoming symptomatic.

Immediate post-operative x-ray

Surgical approach was decided for both #27 and #28 as being the most predictable as the original root canal therapy seemed to be adequate.  During the surgery no fractures were found nor any unusual periodontal problems.

15 month check up

Patient is asymptomatic and apical healing is observed around both roots.

Comments:
It is always difficult to decide whether to retreat a root canal or to approach it surgically. If all canals have been found and the obturation seems to be adequate, probably a surgical approach would be more appropriate and more predictable.

Case 18: Predictable endodontics

Case 18a: pre-operative x-ray

Case 18a: photo

Case 18b: pre-operative x-ray

Case 18b: photo

Please note in both cases alloy on pulp chamber wall.

Comments:
As noted above many restorations are placed close to if not into the pulp chamber. In both of these cases, patients were very surprised that this was the case. Granted, most of the time the dentist who place the restoration tell patients of the situation and the possible need of root canal therapy due to the depth of the filling.  However, in my experience, patients never hear this. If a restoration will probably lead to future root canal therapy, it needs to be well documented in the patient's record and explained in detail to the patient as to not infer it was the dentist's "fault" it was so deep.  Most of the time, these fillings are replacements for other fillings because of fracture or decay. Symptoms may occur only after the new filling is placed.  It also needs to be explained that the tooth may be asymptomatic prior to the new filling, but may become symptomatic after the filling.

Case 17 Fractured tooth

Pre-operative x-ray #3

Tooth was symptomatic, sensitive to chewing and biting.

Photo #3 after filling material removed

Note: fracture line extending from the mesial to the distal, making the tooth non restorable.

Comment:
Any tooth suspected of a non restorable fracture should be investigated with an access opening and removal of all restorative materials so that the pulp chamber and walls of tooth can easily be exposed. This will make it much easier to diagnose whether or not the tooth is restorable.

Case 16 Anterior tooth with internal resorption repaired with MTA

Pre-operative x-ray showing internal resorption

No history of trauma according to the patient. The tooth was asymptomatic.  Patient was not aware of the problem until it was picked up on by the general dentist doing routine x-rays.

1 week post-operative x-ray

No perforation was noted. Periodontally, probings were within normal limits.

3 year post-operative x-ray

Tooth is sound and patient is asymptomatic.










Comment:
MTA is the material of choice for internal resorption.  If you can probe into the resorbed area (in other words a perforation has occurred) MTA will not work.  Also note that many times it is extremely difficult to negotiate a canal system to the radiographic apex.  In this case the system that I was able to clean was entirely filled with MTA.  I would suggest a series of  routine 6 month post op exams when teeth are treated in this manner. If internal breakdown continues to occur, probably extraction is the only alternative.  Patients need to be aware on their first appointment.