RADIOGRAPHIC AND HISTOLOGIC PERIAPICAL FINDINGS OF ROOT-CANAL TREATEDTEETH IN CADAVER

The success of root canal treatment can be subjectively evaluated both clinically and radiographically. Normally, the recall radiograph is t he main factor in evaluating success or failure. Objectives. This stud y evaluated periapical areas of root canal treated teeth by correlatin g radiographic and histologic findings. Study design. Jaws were resect ed from cadavers and radiographed. Those teeth that had received root canal treatment were evaluated for success or failure based on radiogr aphic criteria. Teeth and surrounding bone were then removed en bloc a nd prepared for light microscopy. Untreated teeth without periapical p athosis were examined as controls. Results. Root canal treated teeth c lassified as failures were found to consistently have inflammatory res orptive lesions at the periapices. In contrast, those treated teeth cl assified as radiographically successful showed varying reactions rangi ng from normal uninflamed to mildly inflamed. Conclusions. Those class ified as failure showed consistent inflammation. However, the majority of our examined treated teeth were radiographically normal and exhibi ted no periapical inflammation.