Saving teeth with endodontic treatment: Lesion size and predictability of healing

The vast majority of the dental community recognizes the importance and safety of root canals in saving the natural dentition. In the event natural teeth cannot be saved predictably with modern endodontics and properly restored, dental implants have been positioned as viable treatment options for replacing missing or extracted teeth. However, in its “Tooth Saving Tips” fact sheet, the American Association of Endodontists unequivocally states, “Saving a natural tooth through endodontic treatment should always be the first choice for the best health and cosmetic results.”¹ It is imperative for any and all dental practitioners to provide evidence-based treatment options tailored to each unique patient experience with professional ethics and nonmaleficence steering the conversation.

Various clinical presentations and risk factors can influence endodontic success or failure, including but not limited to the quality of the root canal performed and the seal of the coronal restoration.² In addition to the aforementioned factors, the presence and size of a periapical lesion can directly affect the prognosis and treatment outcome. Classic literature highlights this shift in long-term success rates from 96% for vital/nonvital cases without the presence of a periapical lesion to 86% when a periapical lesion is present.³

Periapical radiographs have been commonly used to evaluate the size of periapical lesions. However, periapical radiographs have limitations, because the information is rendered in only two dimensions. A periapical lesion can only be detected in the radiograph when the mineral loss of bone reaches 30%–50%.⁴

Figure 1: Pre-op tooth no. 30 — **Figure 1:** Pre-op tooth no. 30

Cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging is increasingly being used for diagnosis and treatment planning. Studies indicate that CBCT images can provide clinically relevant information not found in periapical radiographs, such as the true size, location, and extent of the periapical lesion.⁵ In studies that compare the abilities of periapical radiography and CBCT imaging in the detection of periapical lesions, it was found that CBCT imaging could identify more periapical lesions than periapical radiographs in vitro and in vivo. However, the size of the periapical lesions continues to be determined by periapical radiographs, because most general practitioners do not have access to CBCT imaging.

Figure 2: Working length — **Figure 2:** Working length

Periapical radiolucencies, as described by Regezi, present as 90%–95% inflammatory tooth-associated lesions where the pathological makeup is periapical cyst, granuloma, and abscess.⁶ Nair et al. further expounds on the incidence and type of periapical lesions associated with extracted teeth: 35% periapical abscess, 50% granuloma, and 15% cysts.⁷ The latter occurred in two categories: the apical true cysts and the apical pocket cysts. It is of strong opinion that the pocket cysts may heal after root canal therapy, but the true cysts are less likely to be resolved by conventional root canal treatment.

Case presentation

Figure 3: One month—Ca(OH)2 — **Figure 3:** One month—Ca(OH)2

A 26-year-old male patient with a noncontributory medical history presented with buccal vestibular and buccal space edema associated with a large periapical lesion around the apices of his mandibular molar, no. 30 (figure 1). The risks and benefits of endodontic treatment were outlined in addition to alternative treatments. Informed consent was obtained.During the conservative nonsurgical endodontic treatment, chemical debridement with 6% sodium hypochlorite was used

Figure 4: Four-month review and obturation — **Figure 4:** Four-month review and obturation

as a disinfectant and activated with ultrasonic irrigation. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) 17% was employed to remove the inorganic smear layer and open the dentinal tubules (figure 2). Apical trephination with a 15K file to induce drainage found a significant amount of drainage present. Mechanical cleaning and shaping were carried out with nickel titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments (HyFlex EDM from Coltene). The canal system was dried with paper points, and calcium hydroxide further aided disinfection as an intracanal dressing (figure 3). Antibiotics and analgesics were prescribed P.O.

Figure 5: Nine-month review — **Figure 5:** Nine-month review

Resolution of clinical symptoms was observed after one month with the intracanal medicament in place. Periapical healing was observed at one month and four months, respectively. At the four-month visit, obturation with warm gutta-percha and epoxy resin sealer (AH Plus) was completed (figure 4). Subsequently, follow-up radiographs were exposed at nine months (figure 5) and 15 months (figure 6), respectively, and improved osseous regeneration was noted at each interval.

Figure 6: 15-month review — **Figure 6:** 15-month review

This report confirms that the large size of a periapical lesion does not mandate its surgical removal, and that even cystlike periapical lesions heal following conservative endodontic therapy.

Also by Dr. Marcus Johnson:

5 questions to ask when determining if teeth with perio-endo infections can be saved

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in Perio-Implant Advisory, a newsletter for dentists and hygienists that focuses on periodontal- and implant-related issues. Perio-Implant Advisory is part of the Dental Economics and DentistryIQ network. To read more articles, visit perioimplantadvisory.com and subscribe at this link.

References

Tooth saving Tips. AAE fact sheet. American Association of Endodontists. 2013. https://www.aae.org/specialty/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/06/toothsavingtips.pdf
Ray HA, Trope M. Periapical status of endodontically treated teeth in relation to the technical quality of the root filling and the coronal restoration. Int Endod J. 1995;28(1):12-18. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2591.1995.tb00150.x
Sjogren U, Hagglund B, Sundqvist G, King W. Factors affecting the long-term results of endodontic treatment. J Endod. 1990;16(10):498-504. doi:10.1016/S0099-2399(07)80180-4
Bender IB. Factors influencing the radiographic appearance of bony lesions. J Endod. 1997; 23(1):5-14. doi:10.1016/S0099-2399(97)80199-9
Low KMT, Dula K, Bürgin W, von Arx T. Comparison of periapical radiography and limited cone-beam tomography in posterior maxillary teeth referred for apical surgery. J Endod. 2008;34(5):557-562. doi:10.1016/j.joen.2008.02.022
Regezi JA. Periapical diseases: spectrum and differentiating features. J Calif Dent Assoc. 1999;27(4):285-289.
Nair PNR, Pajarola G, Schroeder HE. Types and incidence of human periapical lesions obtained with extracted teeth. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 1996;81(1):93-102. doi:10.1016/s1079-2104(96)80156-9

Marcus Johnson, DDS, MSD, is a graduate of Rutgers University and New York University Dental School. He received his Certificate of Endodontics from Case Western Reserve University, while concurrently earning his master’s degree in dentistry. Dr. Johnson, an astute evidence-based clinician and an active member of numerous dental organizations, won an award for his research on new treatment techniques. He is the lead attending endodontist for the general practice residency at Interfaith Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, where he also teaches the pediatric residents. He is a member of the American Association of Endodontists’ board of directors, a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, and president of the New York State Association of Endodontists. As a board-certified endodontist, Dr. Johnson owns and operates City Endodontics, a private practice specializing in endodontics in Manhattan.

Saving teeth with endodontic treatment: Lesion size and predictability of healing

Case presentation

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