Endodontics Flashcards
When should an RCT be followed up?
- clinical and radiographic follow-up at least 1 year after treatment
- further follow up for up to 4 years
When is RCT retreatment indicated?
- persistent periapical pathology following RCT
- new periapical pathology associated with a root-filled tooth
- new restoration for tooth planned and radiographic assessment shows inadequate root canal filling or periapical radiolucency
What can be seen radiographically in the presence of a persistent periapical pathology following RCT?
No radiographic signs of bony healing after 4 years
What is considered new periapical pathology associated with a root-filled tooth?
- initial healing but a new radiolucency develops some time later.
- Root canal system has become infected subsequent to previous treatment
What are the estimated success rates of primary and secondary RCT?
Primary 83%
Secondary 80%
What are three main prognostic factors for RCT pretreatment?
1) pre-operative periapical lesion
2) apical extent of coronal restoration
3) quality of coronal restoration
What does the term “healed” indicate with RCT?
- clinically - no signs/symptoms
- radiological - no residual radiolucency or scarring after surgery
What does the term “healing” indicate with RCT?
- clinical - no signs/symptoms
- radiological - reduced radiolucency in follow up <4yrs
What does the term “asymptomatic function” indicate with RCT?
- clinical - no signs/symptoms combined with no or persistent radiolucency, reduced in size or unchanged
What does the term “persistent/recurrent/emerged disease” indicate with RCT?
- clinical - with or without symptoms
- radiological - new, increased, unchanged or reduced after >4yrs
What guidelines are there in the prevention of post-treatment disease regarding quality of RCT?
- rubber dam isolation
- proximity of preparation to AC
- sufficient taper of preparation
- adequate irrigation and placement of interappointment medicament
- correct extension of obturation without extrusion
- adequate coronal seal to prevent re-infection
What are the four indications for root canal retreatment?
1) previous treatment failed - signs of inflammation/infection
2) persistent symptoms, sinus tract (chronic abscess), swelling, pain
3) failure of previous treatment due to technical reasons
4) existing pathology and new restoration planned for tooth
What are four different types of periapical pathology?
1) intraradicular microbes
2) extraradicular microbes
3) foreign body reaction
4) true cyst
What are five examples of microbial causes of post-treatment disease?
1) intraradicular microbes - either persistent or secondary to major cause of endo failure
2) extraradicular microbes
3) radicular cyst
4) cracked teeth, vertical root fracture
5) coronal leakage
What are two examples of non-microbial causes of post-treatment disease?
1) cholesterol crystals
2) foreign body reactions in periapical tissues
What are the two causes of intraradicular infection root canal treated teeth?
1) persisting infection - inadequate isolation/disinfection during RCT
2) new/secondary infection through leakage
Do radiographs indicate the biological status of the root canal?
no
What are “persistent bacteria”?
those that remain in the root canal system after root canal disinfection and interappointment dressing
What type of bacteria is commonly considered a “persistent bacteria”?
Gram positive bacteria - appears to be more resistant to antimicrobial treatment and has the ability to adapt to harsh environmental conditions in instrumented canals
How many species of bacteria usually exist in “apparently well treated canals”?
1-5 species
How many species of bacteria usually exist in “inadequately treated” canals?
10-20 species, similar to untreated canals
What are the microbes commonly found in retreatment cases? 6
1) E faecalis
2) streptococcus
3) lactobacillus
4) actinomycetes
5) propionobacterium
6) candida albicans
What are three possible origins of microbes in retreatment cases?
1) contamination during initial treatment
2) leaving a tooth on open drainage
3) coronal leakage post-treatment