The endodontic-periodontic lesion Flashcards
How do you get a perio-endo infection?
Get infection from the PDL going into the pulp - the pocket can extend to the apex of the tooth or via a lateral canal bacteria gains access to the pulp
Then get pulpitis -> periapical pathology
What is the steps to getting pulpal infection/necrosis from perio disease?
Pathogenic bacteria and inflammatory products of perio disease -> accessory canals/apical foramen -> pulpal infection/necrosis
What are the steps for getting infection from the pulp to the PDL?
Pulpal disease/procedural errors in RCT/ Perforations/ vertical root fractures -> Dentinal tubules/peri-radicular inflammation -> bone loss +/ CAL + / pus discharge
Rather than draining into a sinus, it drains through the PDL - get periodontitis
What is a primary endo, secondary perio lesion?
Originally an endo lesion, the infection spreads from the apex along the root to the gingiva
Pulpal infection can also spread from accessory canals along the gingiva or furcation
What is a primary perio, secondary endo lesion?
A periodontal pocket can deepen to the apex and secondarily involve the pulp
Alternatively, a perio pocket can infect the pulp through a lateral canal
What is a true combined lesion?
2 independent lesions (periapical and periodontal) can coexist and eventually fuse with each other - the 2 may or may not combine
What other classification of a true combined lesion allows you to decide where the original source of the infection is from
Whether on a radiograph the endodontic and periodontal lesions have communication or not
How does knowing whether the lesions are communicating suggest?
Non-communicating suggests the true combined lesion has independent aetiologies
What are the possible options for how a combined lesion started?
May be true combined which have merged or lesions that started as perio or endo and then spread to the other
What does knowing the original source of the infection allow?
Can have an implication for the management and prognosis of the case
How do you get to a diagnosis?
History
Examination
Special tests
Other tests
What is involved in an endodontic examination?
Restorative status - whether restorable
TTP
Tenderness in sulcus
Swelling/sinus
What is involved in a periodontal examination?
Probing around the tooth - easy to miss
Pus discharge from the pocket
Mobility
What are the 2 sensibility tests?
Cold testing
EPT
Need to be negative to both to confirm it is non-vital
What is the most appropriate radiograph to take?
Periapical
What is seen on the radiogrpah?
A vertical periodontal defect often present
A radiolucency around the apex
A J-shaped lesion may be present - bone loss that extends down the root and around the apex, but only on one side
When would an OPT be used?
if multiple sites needed to be radiographed - for periodontal assessment
When would a CBCT scan be indicated?
When conventional radiography does not provide sufficient detail
e.g. complex 3D anatomy or suspicion of other causes; resorption or perforation
What other tests can be done?
Consider tooth sleuth and transillumination to rule out root fracture
Teeth with fractures and cracks are present with J shaped lesions and non-vital pulp
What symptoms may you associate with a perio-endo lesion
Swelling of the gingiva Pus discharge Pocket formation Fistula tract (sinus) TTP Mobility
What is the treatment for primary endo, secondary perio lesion?
RCT only
What is the treatment for primary perio secondary endo lesion?
RCT and periodontal therapy
What is the treatment for true combined leisons?
RCT and periodontal therapy
What is the rationale for primary endo, secondary perio lesions
They have an endodontic aetiology: dead pulp and periapical infection draining down the PDL - if do RCT the sinus will heal up, then get reattchment of the PDL