Relation of pre- and intraoperative factors to prognosis of posterior apical surgery.

The relation of preoperative and intraoperative factors to the prognosis of apical surgery was studied in 136 premolar and molar roots. The evaluated factors were: clinical signs and symptoms, size of the periapical lesion, root canal obturation, tooth restoration, apical retrofilling, and the operating surgeon. A significantly higher success rate was found in roots obturated 2 mm or shorter of the apex, in roots without post restoration, and after retrofilling of roots with apparently well-condensed obturation. The prognosis differed significantly following treatment by various operators but was unrelated to their experience.