Learn how to manage a treatment resistant periodontal defect

Case: Patient returned on recall examination with an abscessed aggressive interproximal bone defect after having endodontic treatment on both adjacent teeth

Patient: 30-year-old female in excellent health

Chief Complaint: Aching pain around the gums (teeth #’s 2 and 3)

Dental History: The patient had a history of endodontic treatment on the maxillary right second molar in 1998 (treated by the author with the pulp being vital, caries exposure) and the maxillary first molar in 2010 (retreatment performed by author’s partner, original endodontic treatment by unknown dentist during the interim). At the time of treatment of #3, tooth #2 had normal periodontal findings and no pain (2010). A year later the patient started developing a gum infection in the area then having pain that required her to seek an endodontic examination. Her periodontist had noted a deep pocket between teeth #’s 2 and 3.