National Dental Assisting Examining Board (NDAEB) Practice Exam

What does a radiograph confirming the success of root canal therapy suggest about the radiolucency at the apex?

1. Healthy alveolar bone is now growing in the radiolucent area

2. Infection still remains in the tooth structure

3. The tooth is likely to require extraction

4. No significant changes have occurred

The correct answer is: Healthy alveolar bone is now growing in the radiolucent area

A radiograph confirming the success of root canal therapy suggests that healthy alveolar bone is now growing in the radiolucent area. After successful root canal treatment, the expected outcome is the reduction or elimination of the radiolucent area at the apex of the tooth, which indicates the resolution of infection and the healing of the surrounding bone. The presence of radiolucency typically signifies that there was an infection or pathology affecting the apex of the tooth, such as an apical abscess or periapical lesion. Once the root canal therapy has been properly performed, there should be evidence of healing, which includes new bone formation. This is visualized radiographically as a decrease in the radiolucent appearance, eventually leading to normal radiopaque bone surrounding the roots of the tooth. This interpretation hinges on the understanding of how successful endodontic treatment results in the restoration of health around the tooth rather than the persistence of infection, the necessity for extraction, or a lack of significant changes. Continuation of radiolucency, or the presence of infection, would indicate that the treatment was not successful, and there might be a need for further intervention.