Can periapical cyst be treated without calcium hydroxide?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had a root canal re-treatment due to a periapical cyst. I had no symptoms but decided to be proactive. The doctor opened the canal and drained it. A week later the doctor disinfected the canal and filled it in. He did not use calcium hydroxide at any time during the treatment.

He explained that there was no need for it because the canal looked clean. It has been seven months but I have not checked the size of the cyst yet. Was the doctor correct in his decision or was the calcium hydroxide use necessary in my case?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Since you do not have any other complication during the procedure it was not needed to use a calcium hydroxide. Upon cleaning process and washing the canal vigorously with normal saline and hydrogen peroxide if pain disappears its fine to give sitting and then finally sealing it off. In your case as you do not face any further difficulty the periapical abscess must have healed and nothing to worry about. You will be fine.

In general, abscess cases are dealt with calcium hydroxide, no doubt in that. Pain is also a common factor. But your clinician must have seen promising improvements in the treatment so instead of placing the Calcium hydroxide and waiting for weeks, he completed the root canal. If possible kindly post if any previous X-ray of the tooth.

Hope I have clarified your query.

Thank you.