An evaluation of the causes of failure of initial endodontic therapy based on radiographic findings

The aim of this study was to evaluate the causes of failure of initial endodontic therapy of the patients visiting the operative department of de'montmorency college of dentistry/ punjab dental hospital lahore,based on radiographic findings. in this study,200 patients were included of both gender with age ranging from 13 years to 70 years,among which 107 were males and 93 were females. periapical radiographs of these 200 patients were examined to find out the cause of failure of initial root canal therapy. out of 200 radiographs,45.5% had underobturation of canals,26% had poor obturation,14.5% had missed canals,5% had overobturation,and 9% had iatrogenic errors as cause of failure of initial root canal therapy. in conclusion the most common cause of failure of initial endodontic treatment was underobturation of root canals followed by poor obturation,missed canals,overobturationand iatrogenic errors.