Question

RCT of maxillary second premolar without apical pathosis was obturated w/ gutta percha to within 1 mm of radio graphic apex; 12 months later there is a periapical radiolucency of 5 mm in diameter; tooth is asymptomatic, dental amalgam restoration is present:

The result of the root canal therapy on this tooth may best be described as

A. a success.
B. a failure.
C. questionable.

Answer 1

A root canal therapy that results in the development of a periapical radiolucency after 12 months indicates treatment failure as it suggests a persistent infection despite the absence of symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the context of endodontic treatment, a root canal therapy (RCT) on a maxillary second premolar that was performed without apical pathosis and was later found to have a periapical radiolucency of 5 mm in diameter after 12 months can best be described as a failure.

The development of a radiolucent area suggests that an inflammatory process is present which could mean persistent infection despite the tooth being asymptomatic and the presence of a dental amalgam restoration. The initial aim of RCT is to eradicate infection and prevent reinfection of the root canal system thus, the appearance of a new radiolucency indicates that the treatment goals were not fully achieved.