RETREATMENT OR RADIOGRAPHIC MONITORING IN ENDODONTICS

The aim of this clinical study was to assess 1032 endodontically treat ed roots in relation to: (i) the success rate of retreatment (612 root s)-only cases that had recall examinations of 6 months or longer were evaluated; (ii) the influence of various factors on the technical and clinical results of the retreatment; and (iii) the consequences of rad iographic monitoring of 420 asymptomatic roots when the root filling w as radiographically deficient (short, overextended and/or permeable ro ot fillings). Technical assessment of the retreatment showed that the root was adequately sealed in 52.3% of cases, the root filling was imp roved in 33.8%, was identical with the initial treatment in 11.1% and was worse than the first treatment in 2.8% of the canals. Clinical ass essment of the retreatment of symptomatic roots showed that 71.8% of t he retreatments were judged successful, 18.9% showed some healing and 9.3% had failed. The initial size of the periapical lesion, the use of rubber dam, the root filling technique and the apical level of the ro ot filling had a statistically significant influence on the result of the retreatment. Monitoring radiographically (median time span 6 years ) led to maintenance of the status quo in 94.8% of cases, healing in 2 .4% and failure in 2.8% of the canals. Retreatment is clearly indicate d when periapical radiolucency, clinical signs and/or symptoms are pre sent with relative success of up to 91%. When no or little radiographi c evidence of periapical pathology was present, when clinical signs an d symptoms were absent or when the root filling was radiographically d eficient, radiographic monitoring led to complications in only a limit ed number of cases.