An analysis of success and failure of apicoectomies

The radiographs from 715 patient charts were analyzed to study the effect of 11 factors on the success and failure of apicoectomies. Of these, 424 had recall radiographs of 6 months or more and were evaluated for changes in radiolucencies. The data were analyzed by cross-tabulation and chi-square analysis for significant relationships. Complete healing was found in 65% of the recall cases, while incomplete and unsatisfactory healing occurred in 29.4% and 5.6% of the cases, respectively. Complete healing was found to increase with patient age. Those over 60 yr of age had the highest percentage of complete healing. No statistical difference in healing was found between maxillary and mandibular teeth. Also, postsurgical healing associated with those teeth which were inadequately obturated with gutta-percha, silver points, or paste-filling materials did not differ significantly. No significant difference in healing was found between the teeth that were retreated nonsurgically before surgery and those that were not. Healing was independent of the placement of a retrofilling as well as the type of retrofilling period. Significantly better healing was seen with teeth that were permanently restored following surgery.