Considerations in the revision of previous surgical procedures

The microbial etiology of periradicular periodontitis requires that efforts must be made to eliminate infection from the root canal system and the periradicular tissues. Periradicular surgery is an option of endodontic re‐treatment when non‐surgical root canal treatment and re‐treatment fails. Unfortunately, surgery is not always successful for a number of reasons including, extraradicular infection, associated marginal periodontal disease, inability to seal the root canal system from the periradicular tissues, anatomical anomalies and poor surgical technique. This paper reviews the use of re‐surgery in the treatment of failed surgical cases, discussing some of the problems that may be encountered and how they may be managed.