Contributor

Prof. M. Hulsmann

Country –institution

University of Göttingen, Germany

Title

Orthograde retreatment of endodontic failures: Indications and techniques

Summary

If endodontic treatment does not result in success further treatment options include retreatment, apical surgery and extraction (and replacement by an implant). Orthograde retreatment has been shown tobe an excellent treatment in many, not all, cases to save the patients' teeth and avoid extractions. Retreatment in several technical and biological aspects is differing from primary treatment making it a distinct treatment technique.

The lecture will discuss definitions of endodontic success and failure, indications and contraindications for orthograde retreatment, common problems in retreatment as well as the prognosis of retreatment compared to endodontic surgery.

Several common problems of retreatment will be discussed in detail and their respective management demonstrated in clinical cases: Removal or maintenance of the coronal restoration, preparation of the access cavity, removal of intraradicular posts, gutta-percha, silver cones, and fractured instruments, determination of working length, management of ledges and blockaeges, irrigation sequence, and more.

Following the lecture the participants will be able

•     to make a decision on the best treatment option in failing cases
•     to anticipate potential problems during retreatment
•     to manage removal of obturation material from the root canal.