Resident University of Florida Gainesville, Florida, United States
Often the most characteristic signs of an endodontic lesion is the presence of a periapical radiolucency. With the addition of sensibility testing, imaging modalities, and appropriate dental and medical history, practitioners are able to diagnose teeth that are necrotic and endodontically treat them. Unfortunately, there are many diseases and conditions that may appear to be of endodontic origin, and receive treatment only to be later determined that the lesion is pathologic. These misdiagnoses can be catastrophic for patients, often resulting in a delay in appropriate treatment or unnecessary root canal procedures. For this reason, it is important to not only consider radiographs, sensibility testing, and dental history, but other differential diagnoses when treating patients. The goal of this clinic is to provide clinicians with important checkmarks to avoid misdiagnosis. Cases will be profiled in which endodontic treatment was provided but in which other malignant pathologies were discovered later. The importance of proper diagnosis plays a vital role for the patient’s overall health.
