2. Treatment Options for Pulpally Involved Teeth

Question 1

What are the three main treatment options for a tooth with a pulpal and apical diagnosis ?

Answer 1

Save natural tooth by RCT and restoration.
XLA of tooth - restore or not ?
No treatment.

Question 2

What are the benefits of RCT and restoration of a tooth ?

Answer 2

Less costly.
Less time consuming.
Natural aesthetics.
Maintains quality of life.
Fewer post-treatment complications.

Question 3

What are the potential complications of RCT and restoration of a tooth ?

Answer 3

Instrument fracture.
Perforation of root canals - requiring further treatment.
Blocked canals.
Incomplete healing - treatment might not be successful.
Sodium hypochlorite accident - leading to swelling, pain, bruising.
Post-operative infection.
Tooth/root fracture - requiring subsequent XLA.
Temporary or permanent numbness.

Question 4

What is the pneumonic for gaining appropriate consent for endodontic treatment ?

Answer 4

SPANNERS.