Leakage in root canal system during and after treatment: A review

Abstract

During and after a canal treatment any ingress of germs in the pulp space should be avoid because they are responsible for pulpal and periradicular diseases. Often this treatment is performed in more than one visit and amongst those visits a temporary restoration should impede the re-infection. Initially a pre-treatment (build-up) is required in order to prevent fluid leakage and allow a better isolation by rubber dam and a stabilised clamp. Several restorative materials are on the market and a correct choice is crucial to avoid failure considering several factors such as canal dressing medication, number of day between visits, extension of restoration, occlusal load, presence of parafunctions etc. In filled root canals bacteria are able to colonize even small gaps between the canal walls and the gutta-percha. When the root canal treatment is concluded by the final restoration the risk of leakage is not eliminated in fact a new caries, a loss of adhesion, a crown or root fracture might occur. Even dough the final post endodontic restoration is the last step performed to prevent a coronal leakage this unwanted phenomena unfortunately can append any time and from the initial steps during a root canal treatment. Just a standardized follow up can discover those dangerous conditions which may lead to a silent periradicular disease.