What is a retrograde root canal filling?
A retrograde root canal filling is a treatment step that is additionally performed during a root tip resection. In apicoectomy, the gum underneath the root tip of the affected tooth is exposed and exposed in order to treat it. After the root tip has been cut off during the resection, the existing root filling in the canal may not seal tightly.
Retrograde root canal filling is a procedure that surgically and endodontically seals the tooth below the root. In this case, the canals are stained and displayed so that the areas that need sealing become visible. Retrograde root canal filling means that a root canal filling is made from below, which seals the root from the surrounding tissue so that no bacteria can enter the canal system of the tooth. The retrograde filling is made with special cements or similar materials such as MTA, so that the visible root filling at the separated root tip is covered.
Materials of a root filling
The materials for a root canal filling are variable and can be divided into two subgroups. There are temporary, temporary filling materials, which are inserted as a medicinal insert for a short period of time. These are in the root canal for a maximum of two weeks and ensure that the tooth calms down and existing pain symptoms disappear.
The second subgroup are the definitive or final filling materials. These are inserted into the tooth at the end of the treatment to create a bacteria-proof seal of the canals. These definitive filling materials are very biocompatible and do not cause irritation of the tissue at the root tip.
Nevertheless, they are not resorbed by the body and remain in place. Furthermore, all the materials used for the definitive filling are radiopaque, which means that they are visible in the X-ray image so that the length can be checked. Among the usual filling materials used are thermoplastic fillings, which are inserted into the tooth in liquid form and then harden, or classic guttapercha pins.
The thermoplastic root filling consists of heated, liquefied gutta-percha, which is a rubber-like material similar to rubber. In cold form the guttapercha stick is flexible and pliable. Other definitive filling materials consist of synthetic resin. The metal posts for filling root canals, which used to be so popular, are no longer used today due to their poorer prognosis.
