Decompressive therapy in the non-surgical management of large periradicular lesions

Introduction: Asymptomatic apical periodontitis is one of the most common endodontic disorders diagnosed in the world population. It consists in damage to the periapical tissue due to activation of inflammation mechanisms, including lysis and resorption of support tissues like cementum, ligament and alveolar bone. The pathognomonic sign of apical periodontitis is the presence of periapical radiolucency due to the destruction of periapical tissue. Its main treatment includes conventional endodontic management aimed at removing local irritants from the root canal. However, when large lesions develop, it is necessary to complement the conventional treatment with therapies speeding up the repair process, such as decompression, which reduces intralesion and intraosseous pressure, fostering the formation of fibrous, connective and bone tissue. Objective: Describe the use of intracanal decompression technique in the management of large periapical lesions. Case presentation: A case is presented of a 33-yearold patient diagnosed with asymptomatic apical periodontitis and a tomographic evaluation of a large periapical lesion (67.5 UH) treated with conventional endodontic therapy and intracanal decompression as adjuvant therapy. Restoration was followed by clinical and radiographic controls. At 24 months it was observed that the tissues involved had been repaired and the periodontal ligament space restored. Conclusions: The use of decompressive therapy as an alternative in the management of a large periapical lesion, made it possible to regulate intraosseous pressure and facilitate bone tissue regeneration, relieving the patient from the discomforts of a surgical intervention.