Persistent endodontic infection--re-treatment or surgery?

Management of a tooth with persistent periradicular disease primarily involves management of persistent intraradicular infection. Conventional endodontic re-treatment is the main modality that will manage this condition although endodontic surgery with or without retreatment is a viable option in cases. Case selection involves an appreciation of the disease aetiology and expected outcomes and consideration of patient, tooth and clinician factors. Both conventional endodontic re-treatment and surgery have high long-term success and survival rates and it has been shown that an endodontically treated tooth with persistent periradicular pathology that can be managed by conventional endodontic re-treatment or surgery and restoration has comparable, and potentially more beneficial, outcomes to treatment options involving tooth loss and rehabilitation, such as an implant supported crown. As such endodontic retreatment should be the prime treatment modality unless a tooth has reached a stage where these techniques cannot manage ongoing disease and/or structural integrity.