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Review
. 2016 Jan-Mar;10(1):144-147.
doi: 10.4103/1305-7456.175682.

Failure of endodontic treatment: The usual suspects

Sadia Tabassum  1 , Farhan Raza Khan  1
Affiliations
Review

Failure of endodontic treatment: The usual suspects

Sadia Tabassum et al. Eur J Dent. 2016 Jan-Mar.

Abstract

Inappropriate mechanical debridement, persistence of bacteria in the canals and apex, poor obturation quality, over and under extension of the root canal filling, and coronal leakage are some of the commonly attributable causes of failure. Despite the high success rate of endodontic treatment, failures do occur in a large number of cases and most of the times can be attributed to the already stated causes. With an ever increasing number of endodontic treatments being done each day, it has become imperative to avoid or minimize the most fundamental of reasons leading to endodontic failure. This paper reviews the most common causes of endodontic failure along with radiographic examples.

Keywords: Endodontics; periapical periodontitis; root canal therapy.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(a) Endodontic treatment in this patient failed due to a leaky apical seal which resulted in a persistent periapical radiolucency. (b) Retrograde endodontic treatment was done to seal the apices so a favorable environment can occur for the healing of the infection
Figure 2
Figure 2
(a) The success rate is reduced: With overextended obturation. (b) And under extended obturation
Figure 3
Figure 3
Improper coronal seal along with under extended obturation has played havoc resulting in periapical periodontitis
Figure 4
Figure 4
(a) File separated in apical third of the mesial canal of a mandibular molar. (b) The tooth is asymptomatic after a follow-up after 2 years
Figure 5
Figure 5
(a) Patient remained symptomatic after the treatment of maxillary first molar. (b) On follow-up visit, mesiobuccal 2 was located and obturated
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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