Radicular cyst - Follow-up & prognosis

Teeth with the diagnosis of radicular cyst (& apical periodontitis) are usually controlled clinically and radiographically one year after root filling and apicoectomy. Annual controls are continued until complete healing can be registered. Usually this takes place during the first two years, but controls may be continued up to five years. In large cysts (see main window above) where both buccal and oral cortex has been perforated, healing may occur partly as scar tissue. If no healing can be detected, retreatment is considered. The prognosis of the treatment of radicular cyst is comparable to that of apical periodontitis, between 60 and 85 %. Microbial infection at the beginning of the treatment is the main reason for lower prognosis than in pulpitis, e.g.