Endodontic decisions based on radiographic appearance

Endodontic disease or disease that affects the internal portion of the tooth is a frequently encountered oral problem of the cat and dog. There are many etiologies that can cause the tooth's health and longevity to be adversely affected. Trauma, tooth malformations of either congenital or acquired origin, and bacterial periodontal ascending infections all can lead to pulpal inflammation, necrosis, and tooth death. One must correlate history, physical exam and radiographic impressions of the tooth, and its supporting structures and adjacent teeth in determining proper treatment options and aftercare. Based on extent, timing, and involvement of adjacent structures, resulting pathology of the tooth may be endodontically treated with either a vital pulpectomy, standard root-canal therapy, surgical root-canal therapy, or when the disease is too extensive by extraction. Through a case presentation, we will discuss some of the decisions that enter into the therapy used to treat presenting pathology. It is the authors' intent to present a thought process for deriving a treatment plan to promote healing. There are many ways to achieve this healing, and therefore, there is no right or wrong plan, but rather one that is based on all the presenting factors.