Objectives: This prospective randomized study compared the outcome of retreatment and surgical intervention in root canal treated teeth with nonhealing periradicular pathosis.
Study design: One such tooth from each of 38 patients was randomly allotted to retreatment or root-end resection and root-end filling. Treatment outcome after 1 year was evaluated and compared clinically and radiographically.
Results: The success rate for surgery was higher than for conventional retreatment, but the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions: For management of nonhealing periradicular pathosis associated with root canal treated teeth, surgical intervention should be considered as an alternative to retreatment. In cases with a similar prognosis for both modes of treatment, the choice should be governed by consideration of intrinsic and extrinsic factors.