The Endo Blog
The Endo Blog
The day to day clinical practice of endodontics at Superstition Springs Endodontics.
Jason J Hales

Do you know what kind of endodontics your associate is doing?

Do you know what kind of endodontics your associate is doing?

12/5/2016 9:43:00 AM   |   Comments: 0   |   Views: 987

Missed Canals Cause Root Canal Failure

 
Root canal failure, as well as failure of any dental treatment, is often associated with bacteria. Bacteria that is incompletely removed from the canal system during endodontic treatment will cause root canal failure. Unfortunately, sometimes that failure is not identified until months or years later and then some people condemn root canal therapy as unsuccessful, when the cause may be incomplete root canal therapy leaving bacteria behind in the canals.

The following example is a root canal that was done 13 months ago by an associate dentist in a general dental practice.  This can sometimes create a difficult situation for the owner dentist, when the patient returns with an abscess a year later. Unfortunately for the patient, this root canal was destined to fail.  With missed canals and short obturation, this treatment was incomplete.


Root canal done 13 months earlier.  Large periapical lesion on mesial root.  Short root canal filling on mesial canals.  The prognosis for this tooth was poor at the time of completion because the MB canal was not cleaned and obturated. Bacterial left behind will continue to cause periapical disease.
CBCT shows missed MB canal and short ML canal filling.

Missed MB canal located immediately.

All canals cleaned and shaped.  This tooth now has good prognosis for success.


If you have someone else performing endodontic therapy in your practice, such as an associate or traveling specialist, when that associate has moved on, you will likely be required to stand behind the work performed in your office.  Remember that these endodontic issues can take months or years to develop before symptoms or radiographic findings arise.  Do you know what kind of endodontics your associate is doing?
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