79 years old petite indian woman was referred for an evaluation of tooth #19. Her medical history included a hypertension and type II diabetes controlled by medications. She reported no pain, occasional bad taste and discomfort when eating. Clinical examination revealed periodontal probings right to the apex of a distal root of #19, and 4mm or less around the mesial root.
Pre-op
Treatment options:
1. Extraction and tooth replacement
2. Root canal treatment and distal root amputation.
Post-op
After root canal treatment was completed on the mesial root, dual cure core resin was placed into the distal root and a root amputation was completed.
When considering a root amputation, one must evaluate the face type, the musculature (how strong are the masseters, angle of the jaw, etc.), occlusion. This procedure may not work for a 30 y/o with bradycephalic face, however in older individual with weaker muscles of mastication, it can last a lifetime.