Fig. 1

Clinically, LR6 has defective restorations, negative to cold test (compared to adjacent teeth which responded normally), mild tenderness to percussion, normal probing.

Fig. 2

Radiograph: IOPA revealed large PA radiolucencies around apices of LR6.

Diagnosis: LR6 previously treated and symptomatic apical periodontitis. 

Treatment plan: Non-surgical root canal re-treatment for LR6.

Fig. 3

After removing old restorations, different filling materials were evident in the distal orifice.

Retreatment for all canals was done easily using F One file #25/06 (Fanta Dental, Shanghai, China) to full working length, with the aid of endomotor with integrated apex locator, without any solvent.

Many remnants of root canal filling sustained in the root canal system. I was able to remove majority of them with rotary file debridement, lots of sonic and ultrasonic activation.

Fig. 4

Few remnants sustained even with many efforts

Debridement of root canal walls and removing residual root filling materials by MC-Shaper (Fanta Dental, Shanghai, China).

Fig. 5

LR6 is now ready for obturation.

Fig. 6

Hydraulic obturation with premixed bioceramic cement. Composite restoration after making the tooth out of occlusion, and been scheduled for indirect cusp coverage.

Fig. 7

Final IOPA

Conclusions

Root canal re-treatment is different from primary root canal treatment in terms of disinfection. Although the microorganisms are different, as the prevalence of E. faecalis in secondary Endodontic cases is higher than primary Endodontic cases (Stuart et al. 2006), but microorganism resistance in both conditions is mostly similar. However, gaining disinfection in secondary Endodontic treatment is more difficult, as the residue of previous root canal filling offers more protection for the biofilm from disinfectant solutions (Zehnder & Paque 2008). Generally speaking, all root canal system is having residual root filling materials after re-treatment, regardless of the system been used, size, movement, and even if larger sizes been used (Hülsmann & Stutz 1997, Hülsmann & Bluhm 2004, Marques Da Silva et al. 2012, Zulu et al. 2013).

MC-Shaper (Fanta Dental, Shanghai, China) is a very great asset especially in root canal re-treatment. It helps in debridement of root canal walls from existing root filling materials, especially in areas beyond visibility, thanks to its flexibility, stiffness and different range of sizes (#20, #25, #30).

Bibliography

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