Endodontics Flashcards
What is the clinical and radiographic follow-up time period required after RCT?
At least 1 year after treatment
What are the three indications for root canal retreatment?
- Persistent periapical pathology following RCT
- New periapical pathology associated with a root-filled tooth
- A new restoration is planned for a tooth and radiographic assessment shows an inadequate root canal filling and/or a periapical radiolucency
According to the Toronto Study, what is the likelihood of a successful primary treatment outcome overall in Endodontics?
81%
What are the three main prognostic factors for outcome of secondary root canal treatment?
- Pre-operative periapical lesion
- Apical extent of root canal filling
- Quality of coronal restoration
What are the 5 types of microbial causes of post-treatment disease?
- Intraradicular microbes
- Extraradicular infection
- True cyst
- Cracked teeth, vertical root fracture
- Coronal leakage
What are Intraradicular microbes?
Microbes that are situated in the apical part of the root canal system in areas that are often inaccessible to instrumentation and therefore much more difficult to disinfect.
What is meant by extra-radicular infection?
Infection where microbes have evaded the host defence mechanism and established themselves in the periapical tissues
What are the two non-microbial casues of post-treatment disease?
- Cholesterol crystals
- Foreign body reactions in periapical tissues
What type of bacteria tends to be persistent and remain in the root canal system after root canal disinfection and inter-appointment dressing? Give an example.
Gram +ve bacteria, an example would be E Faecalis.
What chronic inflammatory lesion can develop from bacterial colonies forming biofilms on the external root surface of a tooth?
Periapical granuloma
What two types of bacteria are most commonly found to cause periapical granuloma?
- Actinomyces
- Propionibacterium propionicum
What is the most common Odontogenic cyst of inflammatory origin?
Radicular cyst
How do radicular cysts arise?
From epithelial rests in periodontal ligament
What are the two types of radicular cyst?
True cyst to a pocket cyst
Define a true cyst.
A lesion enclosed by epithelial lining
Define a pocket cyst.
An epithelial sac which communicates with the root canal system
Which cyst is less likely to heal following endodontic treatment- A true or pocket cyst?
A true cyst (It may require surgical intervention)
How are cholesterol crystals produced as a non-microbial cause of post-treatment failure?
Produced from dying cells during chronic inflammation
Give 4 examples of endo materials that could cause foreign body reactions.
- Gutta percha
- Sealers
- Paper points
- Cotton pellets
What is the advantage of using limited FOV CBCT in the detection of apical periodontitis?
This type of CBCT concentrates on just a few teeth therefore the radiation exposure is much reduced compared to normal CBCT.
What is the main risk of accessing the root canal through an existing crown? And why?
Perforation, usually due to lack of visibility or tooth alignment is altered by the crown.
What is an alternative treatment to accessing root canal through a crown, which will avoid risk of perforation?
Removal of crown before access
What warning should always be given to patients prior to post removal?
Risk of root fracture
What are the two main technqiues of post removal?
- Ultrasonic energy
- Post pulling devices
What type of cements make post removal more difficult? Potentially leading to periapical surgery or extraction of the tooth.
Adhesive resin cements (e.g. relyX, panavia etc.)
What are the 4 technqiues used to remove GP from root canal?
- Rotary endodontic files
- Ultrasonics
- Heat
- Solvents (as an adjunct to help soften GP)
Why should solvents never be used in retreatment cases if preparing the tooth for a post space?
Because you have no control over how far the solvent will permeate into the root canal system and it may compromise your apical seal.
Why does guttacore supersede theramfil as a carried based gutta percha for obturation?
It is made from cross-linked gp, this allows easier removal in retreatment cases.
Why are endodontic pastes no longer recommend in most countries?
Due to shrinkage and poor seal made from toxic materials. Often contains parafomaldehyde which is mutagenic and carcinogenic.
Can cause permanent nerve paresthesia.
State the 5 causes of persistent periapical radiolucencies in endodontically treated teeth.
- Intraradicular infection
- Extra radicular infection
- Foreign body reaction
- True cyst
- Fibrous scar tissue
True or false, periradicular lesions can be differentially diagnosed as cystic or non-cystic based on conventional radiographs.
False
What is the only possible way to differentially diagnose a periradicular lesion as cystic or non-cystic?
By histopathological investigation
What are the two categories of periradicular cyst?
True cyst and pocket cyst
Define a true cyst.
Cavities completely enclosed in an epithelial lining
Define a pocket cyst.
Epithelium-lined cavities that are open to the root canal
What are the 4 indications for periradicular surgery?
- Failure of previous endodontic treatment where re-treatment is not possible or will not correct the problem.
- Anatomical deviations which prevent complete cleaning and obturation
- Procedural errors (e.g. ledges,blocks, perforations)
- Exploratory surgery for identification of root fractures
What are 7 contraindications of periradicular surgery?
- Proximity to neurovascular bundle
- Thick cortical bone
- Difficult to access
- Inadequate periodontal support
- Non-restorable tooth
- Medical history (e.g. blood disorders, recent MI, cancer treatment)
- Poor skill and ability of surgeon
State the “triad of endodontic microsurgery”.
- Magnification
- Illumination
- Instruments
State 3 types of pre-operative medications patients are advised to take prior to periradicular surgery.
- Anti-inflammatory agents (ibuprofen 600mg immediately before surgery)
- Anti-bacterial rinses (0.2% Chlorohexidine the night before, morning of and 30 mins before appointment)
- Premedication (5mg diazepam if very nervous)
Why would in be in the patients best interest to take 600mg ibuprofen immediately before surgery?
Because ibuprofen inhibits cyclo-oxygenase, preventing the formation of inflammatory mediators (reduce post op pain)
What are the two main purposes of anaesthesia during periradicular surgery?
- Prevents pain during surgery
- Obtains presurgical haemostasis
In flap design, what are the 6 rules to follow to allow a safe procedure and good wound healing?
- Flap must never cross bony defect
- Relieving incisions should be over concave bone surfaces not conveys bone eminences
- End of vertical incision at gingival crest should finish at the mesial or distal line angles and curve so that the incision meets the free gingival margin 90 degrees to gingival contour
- The base of flap must as wide as its free edge
- The periosteum must be raised with the flap
- The retraction must rest on bone and not soft tissue
What are the two types of flap design that can be used for periradicular surgery?
- full mucoperiosteal flap
- Papilla based incison
What is the advantage of a papilla based incision flap design?
Prevents gingival recession
Define an osteotomy.
Removal of cortical plate to expose root end.
What is used as a preoperative measure to ensure haemostasis?
Local anaesthetic
What is used most commonly as an intra-operative topical haemostatic agent?
Epinephrine pellets