Herodontics? - Revisited

In Aug 2009, an American Academy of Implant Dentistry press release stated, "...times have changed and patients should forego prolonged dental heroics to save failing teeth and replace them with long-lasting dental implants". While it universally accepted that implants are a great way to replace missing teeth, a more controversial topic is when to replace a diseased tooth with an implant. In my opinion, those promoting dental implants have become increasingly more aggressive about replacing natural teeth.

As a specialist, I am occasionally called upon to perform "heroic" procedures. This may be following some iatrogenic damage or by a patient who wishes to retain a natural tooth at any cost. While I would much rather treat a normal, straightforward endodontic case, the use of microscopes, ultrasonics and MTA have allowed us to preserve teeth that many would consider "hopeless". I am often amazed at the success that we have with some of these "heroic" cases.

The following case was previously posted, but the patient returned for a 4 year recall last month. Unfortunately, the patient was returning for another root repair perforation following endodontic access on a different tooth. This case would be considered a "heroic" case by anyone's standard! In this particular case, this patient has been pleased with his decision to retain the tooth.

Original Post
This root canal was done just over four years ago. The patient presented with pain to percussion, and an 8 mm buccal probing was present. The RCT had been completed 2 years previously and recently became symptomatic.
DX: Prior RCT w/ Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis.
Treatment recommended: Non-surgical retreatment, perforation repair with possible need for endodontic surgery. Prognosis: guarded.

As you can see, the MB canal is very calcified. Calcification of this kind would make this case a very high level of difficulty. The MB canal was missed and the furcation was found, instrumented & obturated. Proper case selection can help prevent this type of complication. However, if this does occur, one would expect to find bleeding and the tactile sensation of the pdl/cortical bone is very different from the canal. Length determination films, working films or final films should also identify the perforation. I would recommend immediate referral to an endodontist for treatment of an iatrogenic event such as this.

Retreatment completed. MB canal located and treated. Furcal perforation repaired with MTA. Patient placed on recall to watch the area and see if endodontic surgery will be required.

Recall at 2 years & 3 months. Patient reports complete function and no symptoms. The 8mm periodontal probing has dissappeared. This tooth is considered "healing", and scheduled for a 1 year recall.

You can call it "herodontics", but that tooth is functional, apical bone looks good, periodontal pocket has disappeared. This will be a fun case to watch over time.

4 Year Recall

Asymptomatic & fully functional.

NOTE: I have never said this is pretty. Actually, its pretty ugly. However, retaining the natural tooth has preserved the crestal bone, provided normal function, and cost much less in time and money than any replacement option available.

Endodontic Retreatment & MTA Preserve the Tooth

Here's a tooth that had endodontic treatment over 10 years ago. While the clinician had difficulty finding all the canals, the tooth has been functional for quite some time. A large furcal defect raises suspicion of a root fracture or perforation.

DX: Prior RCT w/ Symptomatic Apical Periodontitis.

There are many who would consider this hopeless and recommend extraction.

Let us consider the cause of this treatment failure:

1. Missed Canals

2. Furcal Perforation or Root Fracture?

Can these issues be addressed to preserve the natural tooth?

In my consultation with the patient, I explain these issues and that endodontic re-treatment may be able to save the tooth (as long as the root is not fractured). I also explain the alternative option of extraction.

Finding missing canals is a simple solution.

A perforated root can be repaired with guarded prognosis.

A fractured root will require extraction.

I tell the patient the only way to know for sure is to open the tooth and investigate. Considering the nice crown on the tooth, the cost of attempting to save the tooth is minimal, compared to the cost of removing and replacing. In this case the patient elected re-treatment.

Pre-operative radiograph.

Upon access, 2 additional canals are located and instrumented. A furcal perforation is also identified. No root fractures are found.

Re-treatment is complete. Canals obturated with gutta percha and furcal perforation repaired with MTA. Glass ionomer base is placed over MTA.

7 month recall shows a tooth that is fully functional with remarkable healing of the furcal defect. Endodontic re-treatment has preserved the natural tooth.

Root Perforation causing Tooth Loss

This patient came to our office for evaluation of tooth #3. He reported having a recent root canal and crown done by a general dentist. Since the time the work was completed, he was experiencing "burning & itching in the gums around that tooth". The patient was concerned that he was having an allergic reaction to the cement or materials of the crown.

Our examination found #3 sensitive to palpation, moderately sensitive to percussion. (Adjacent teeth WNL) The radiopacent material in the furcation area of the tooth was noted.

Retreatment was initiated to evaluate the area.


The crown was first removed. Upon first look, there appears to be mesial decay still present and an obvious void between the tooth and the post/core material.

Additional removal of the buildup material shows a surprise underneath.

It become obvious that the distal wall of the MB canal has been perforated.

At this point, we can understand where the symptoms have been coming from. An attempt could be made to try and repair this defect (with MTA), however, the long term prognosis would be guarded to poor. Considering the the cost of initial treatment, the cost of retreatment which would then require post & build-up and new crown, this patient elected to extract the tooth.

This then becomes an appropriate time to replace this missing tooth with an implant or bridge. I recommended an implant consultation.

Endodontic treatment did not fail on this patient. The treating doctor failed to put his patient's best interest first and failed to inform the patient of the treatment complication (perforation) that occurred during treatment.

In a case like this, the patient referred himself to our office for evaluation. Had his dentist properly evaluated the case difficulty and referred him to an endodontist for treatment, this tooth would likely not have been lost.

This is not endodontic failure. This is failure to do good endodontics. This failure to do quality endodontics may be part of the reason that some clinicians are questioning the success of endodontic treatment.

Vertical Root Fracture

This 92 year old patient came into our office for evaluation of #7. She reported no pain, but had a sinus tract between #6 & #7. Probing around #7 appeared normal.

The radiograph appeared to show some lateral radiolucency at the level of the post. The post also appeared slightly off angle with the root canal obturation. Despite the lack of narrow probing depths, I suspected a root fracture.

At this point, we decided to verify that fracture by disassembling the restoration. The patient was informed that if the root was fractured, then she we would not be able to save the tooth.



After simultaneous removal of the post and crown, multiple vertical root fractures were identified. A lingual, and distal fracture are seen in this image.

A mesial root fracture is seen in this angle.

Visualizing a fracture is the only certain way to diagnose a root fracture. This procedure is not well reimbursed, if at all. It will certainly require time that could be used for more productive treatment. However, if it was my tooth, I would want to know it is fractured before extracting it.

I suspect that a possible application of the new cone beam dental CT's will help with diagnosis of vertical root fracture.

Vertical Root Fracture

Vertical root fracture (VRF) can be one of the most challenging parts of endodontic diagnosis. It is often only diagnosed after you have ruled out everything else.

Since treatment of a VRF is extraction, it is important to have an accurate diagnosis. The most certain way to diagnose a vertical root fracture is to see it. This is easily done with a microscope internally. However, that takes significant chair time.

Here are a few tricks that will help you diagnose a VRF.



RADIOGRAPHS:
Look closely at this radiograph. You can see a dark line running parallel to the canal. This dark line will appear if the fracture has caused the root to separate or if you just get lucky with the horizontal angle of your radiograph (just make sure it is not a missed canal).









J-shaped lesions are often indicative of a VRF. **however large, non-fractured, endodontic lesions can also have this appearance

PROBINGS:
Long narrow periodontal probings are often indicative of a VRF. A long, narrow probing develops along the line of a fracture because the pdl cannot attach to the fracture. Looking closely at this image demonstrates the pdl breakdown along the line of the fracture.

**However, a draining sinus tract throught the periodontal ligament can also give you similar probing.**

As you can tell, all of these tips still have some exception to them. Full, accurate diagnosis of VRF sometimes requires a couple of visits to rule out all of the other possibilities. Visualizing the fracture is best done internally with a microscope. However, if you find several of these signs together, you can be fairly confident that you have a VRF.

Time for an Implant

This patient was referred to my office today to finish the RCT on #5. I was obviously a little concerned about the restorability of the tooth. Since she traveled quite far, and her referring dentist had sent her, I went ahead and opened it up to take a peek.





This is what I found. (not surprising)

We discussed the options:

OPTION #1

1. RCT $800

2. Build-up $250

3. Crown Lengthening $700

4. Crown $800

Total $2550 with guarded/poor prognosis



OPTION #2

1. Extract $200

2. Implant $1800

3. Crown $1000

TOTAL $3000 with excellent prognosis

OPTION #3

1. Extract $200

2. Bridge $2400

TOTAL $2600 with excellent prognosis

It is obvious that an implant or bridge will have a better long term prognosis than trying to save this tooth with endodontic therapy, perio therapy & restorative therapy. This is a situation where I made a recommendation for extraction. Since #4 has a nice crown and #6 is a virgin tooth, if it were me, I would personally go with the implant option.

In my practice, I always try to give my patients the same treatment that I would want for myself or my family. I think we owe it to our patients to give them all of the options.