Decision making under uncertainty is undoubtedly strained to the max when managing external crestal resorption. The literature is all but useless in guiding our decision making with regards to risks, benefits, and alternatives. An honest approach for the truth requires meaningful follow-ups of actual cases. Only then can we really answer the question “when should we attempt to fix it?”, which is a good one and worth the effort.
What will follow is an ongoing presentation of recalls at meaningful timeframes. I’ve treated over 60 teeth over the years. I will endeavor to recall all 60 and take new imaging when possible. There are over 20 that have 1-4 years. It may very well be that the inferences change with incoming data and that’s ok. We will stare unblinkingly at our failures when they present and do our best to learn from them. Here they are: the good, the bad, and the ugly. In blue is noted the number of years after treatment. Click on the image to see the case.
The Failures
So here’s where things get kinda interesting. I’ve got one endo failure where I missed a canal and one that developed significant periodontal disease in the 5 year period after treatment. Neither failed due to recurrence.
I have 20 more follows that range from 1-4 years.