SP-13 Down but Not Out: Long Term Follow up of Compromised Endodontically Treated Teeth

CE Hours: 0.75

Description: The ultimate goal in endodontics is to save the natural tooth. This can be especially challenging when the restorability is questionable and extraction has been recommended, but the patient insists on saving it. This presentation provides a framework for an Endo-Restorative practice in less-than-ideal situations, where minimal intervention procedures could maximize tooth preservation correlated with improved fracture resistance. This presentation follows the outcome of over 160 teeth from 4yrs to 18 years after endo-restorative rehabilitation. All endodontic and restorative procedures were done in a solo- private practice, between 2006 and 2020. Outcome was evaluated based on both clinical and radiographic findings at recall. Teeth were classified as healed, survived or failed. With diligent planning and patient compliance, this modality could be a promising option for medically compromised/geriatric patients and for those preferring minimal financial burden or intervention.

Learning Objectives:  

• Evaluate the optimal steps in the rehabilitation of structurally damaged teeth.
• Perform adhesive restorative techniques on the endodontically treated tooth to enhance patient experience of saving the natural tooth.
• Discuss the factors that contribute to the long term survival of structurally compromised teeth.