ABSTRACT
Endodontic retreatment is carried out in cases that previous endodontic therapies failed. The main cause of treatment failure is bacterial persistence within the root canal or coronal leakage after treatment. The key factor to achieve success should be to evaluate whether retreatment is viable from a pathological and restorative point of view. The literature reports a success rate ranging from 80% to 88% for endodontic retreatment; thus, it is a procedure with a predictable prognosis when well performed and, essentially, when there is a correct diagnosis. Prognosis will be affected by the type of previous treatment received by the tooth. Numerous technologies such as operative microscope, CBCT, and ultrasound are available to help execute the different procedures that could demand this therapy. Overall, clinical procedures include: crown removal and/or access through the crown; removal of pins or posts and other core materials; removal of gutta percha, silver cones, pastes, and in some cases, even separated instruments. The objectives of this review/clinical technique article are to describe some of the most common clinical situations that occur during endodontic retreatment and to highlight the importance of endodontic retreatment for tooth conservation.
Conclusions: Based on a correct endodontic and restorative diagnosis and continuing with an appropriate endodontic therapy — in this case retreatment — we can maintain a compromised tooth and achieve treatment success, not only through endodontics but also dentistry in general.
Jorge Alberdi
Full text link: https://endopracticeus.com/endodontic-retreatment-a-conservative-and-predictable-therapy/