Radiology · single question
What is the correct treatment for a radiograph showing root canal filled with SILVER POINTS and a periapical lesion?
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B. Non-surgical endodontic retreatment: remove silver points, clean/shape, obturate with gutta-percha
✓ B) Non-surgical retreatment with silver point removal and GP obturation.
Silver point RCT failure: silver corrodes over time (tarnish/corrosion products can be cytotoxic), doesn't adapt to canal irregularities, can't be thermally compacted. TREATMENT: non-surgical retreat FIRST (Masserann kit, ultrasonic trephine, or modified Munce burs to remove silver points), then mechanical cleaning/shaping, irrigation with NaOCl + EDTA, obturate with warm gutta-percha + biocompatible sealer. Apicoectomy = ONLY if non-surgical retreatment fails or is not possible (calcified canals, posts). Always attempt least invasive approach first.
Silver point RCT failure: silver corrodes over time (tarnish/corrosion products can be cytotoxic), doesn't adapt to canal irregularities, can't be thermally compacted. TREATMENT: non-surgical retreat FIRST (Masserann kit, ultrasonic trephine, or modified Munce burs to remove silver points), then mechanical cleaning/shaping, irrigation with NaOCl + EDTA, obturate with warm gutta-percha + biocompatible sealer. Apicoectomy = ONLY if non-surgical retreatment fails or is not possible (calcified canals, posts). Always attempt least invasive approach first.