Case Studies

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Failed External Resorption Treatment Corrected with Surgery

Oct 27, 2019

Can initial failed external resorption treatment be successfully corrected?

Patient: 24 year-old male in excellent health

Chief Complaint: Biting Sensitivity

Dental History: The patient reported having had root canal treatment performed by his general dentist in 2011 (3 years prior to the initial consultation with the author). His current local dentist noted gingival bleeding at a recent appointment and noted a root radiolucency consistent with external root resorption (maxillary right canine, tooth #6)

UPDATE: Suspected Split Lower Molar Found to be Resorption

May 6, 2019

Not all "obvious" root splits are split

Patient: 67 year-old male with managed hypertension

Chief Complaint: Non-localized Dull Ache

Dental History: Patient reported a history of bleeding gums around a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown placed years ago (Tooth #19). During a routine cleaning visit there was noted pocketing and bleeding with radiographic evidence of periradicular radiolucencies (#19)

Combined Nonsurgical/Surgical Resorption Management with Recall Exams

Apr 8, 2019

Placing the wrong material in a resorption defect impedes and delays healing

Patient: 65 year-old female with Type 2 Diabetes

Chief Complaint: slight toothache and feeling of pressure in the lower left back jaw

Dental History: The patient’s dentist had discovered an external resorption defect in the mesial root of the mandibular left first molar (tooth #19) then prepared and filled the defect with a temporary filling. Subsequently, the dentist prepared the tooth and placed a temporary acrylic crown. The patient was referred to the author for an endodontic examination and treatment.