single-Visit endodontic Retreatment: an Observational study

Background: Endodontic retreatment is indicated when previous root canal therapy fails due to persistent infection, inadequate obturation, coronal leakage, or procedural errors. Conventionally, retreatment is performed over multiple visits; however, advances in rotary instrumentation, magnification, irrigation protocols, and obturation techniques have renewed interest in completing retreatment in a single visit. Evidence regarding the clinical outcomes of single-visit endodontic retreatment remains limited and sometimes contradictory.
Aim: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of single-visit endodontic retreatment and to assess factors associated with treatment success and failure.
Methods: An observational study was conducted on 120 teeth requiring nonsurgical endodontic retreatment. All cases were treated in a single visit using standardized protocols. Patients were followed clinically and radiographically for up to 18 months. Treatment outcome was classified as success, healing, or failure based on predefined criteria. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.
Results: At 18 months, complete success was observed in 82.5% of cases, healing in 10.8%, and failure in 6.7%. Teeth without preoperative periapical lesions showed significantly higher success rates compared with those presenting lesions. No statistically significant association was found between outcome and tooth type or patient age.
Conclusion: Single-visit endodontic retreatment demonstrated a high success rate and may be considered aviable treatment option in appropriately selected cases.
Keywords: Endodontic Retreatment, Single-Visit, Root Canal Failure, Observational Study, Periapical Healing