How long should one wait to assess healing following an apicoectomy? 

In a retrospective study of 1000 apicoectomies, cases were divided into complete healing, incomplete healing, uncertain healing and unsatisfactory healing.  Healing was assessed by radiographic evaluation.  Cases were evaluated for healing first at one year and categorized accordingly.  The cases were followed for up to 15 years. 

The percentage of cases deemed complete healing and unsatisfactory healing only increased after one year, while the percentage of cases in the uncertain and incomplete healing categories decreased. 

The results of this study suggests that a one year follow should be standard following endodontic surgery and no additional follow-up should be necessary with complete or unsatisfactory healing cases.  Other cases should be recalled for up to four years, at which point a decision should be made regarding the need for further treatment.