Retrograde treatment in an extensive implant-tooth-supported reconstruction

Diagnosis and treatment of chronic apical periodontitis associated with an abutment tooth in an extensive tooth-implant-supported fixed prosthesis is reported. Careful, complete interpretation of clinical data was imperative because the periapical radiolucency presented around the apex of a vital tooth. A retrograde endodontic approach was used to prevent an adverse outcome to the complex rehabilitative treatment that had been performed over many years.