Initial Condition
The patient had undergone root canal treatment at another dental practice several years previously. She reported that the tooth had never felt completely right following the original treatment and subsequently developed an acute dental abscess.
Due to the persistent infection and complexity of the tooth, she was referred to Dr Ridhwan Ahmed for specialist assessment and re-treatment. The existing root canal treatment was found to be suboptimal, and re-treatment was recommended to give the tooth the best chance of healing and being retained.
Why was this case complex?
The tooth presented with a severe 90-degree curvature at the end of the root and a large area of infection around the end of the roots, clearly visible as a dark area on the pre-operative X-ray.
This degree of curvature makes it particularly challenging to safely navigate and clean the root canal system.
Treatment
Dr Ridhwan carefully removed the previous root filling and was able to regain access to the full length of the root canal and successfully negotiate the severe 90-degree curvature.
The re-treatment was completed successfully in a single visit.
Severe Root Curvature
A 90-degree curvature at the end of the root made the canal difficult to navigate and clean safely.
Large Area of Infection
A large dark area around the end of the roots was clearly visible on the pre-operative X-ray.
Specialist Re-treatment
The previous root filling was removed and the full length of the curved canal was successfully negotiated.
A remarkable transformation achieved with precision and personalized care.
Complete Healing at Six Months
The patient reported complete resolution of her symptoms following treatment.
At the six-month review, the tooth was comfortable and the infection had completely healed clinically and radiographically. The follow-up X-ray showed that the large dark area around the end of the roots had completely disappeared. This dark area represented the bone changes associated with the infection; its disappearance is a strong radiographic sign of healing.
Symptoms resolved
Complete resolution reported
Tooth comfortable
Comfortable at six-month review
Infection healed
Clinically and on X-ray
This case demonstrates that even a previously treated tooth with severe root curvature and a significant infection can sometimes be successfully re-treated with specialist endodontic techniques.
