The statistics are alarming: The global prevalence of apical lesions with
substandard endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is 24%–60%. The documented
prevalence of apical lesions in endodontically untreated teeth (EUT) is 1½% – 7%.
The session covers best practices in initial endodontic treatment to ensure the
lowest possible rates of retreatment. Designed specifically to close gaps in clinical
and procedural training and education, the course clears up the myths and
mysteries of endodontic treatment success, covering the most common causes of
endodontic treatment failure and how to prevent it.
Most apical endodontic problems are cured by a standard-of-quality initial treatment
or retreatment. Few may ever require surgery. In practice, 80% of endodontic
treatment failures are attributed to root canal preparation errors. Ledging, stripping,
perforating and instrument breakage cause incomplete root filling, dead spaces and
apical leakage which are the leading causes of endodontic treatment failure.