Follow-up after periapical surgery: the value of the one-year control.

A total of 474 teeth treated with periapical surgery were examined after one year. Complete healing was unequivocally demonstrated for 250 teeth. Two hundred and fourteen teeth were scheduled for further follow-up, and of these, 194 (91%) could be followed until a stable situation was recorded. Of 41 cases judged as completely healed after one year, but with initial observer disagreement, only 2 (5%) failed later. The 76 cases showing incomplete healing (scars) after one year with few exceptions ended as completely healed or persisted as incomplete healings. The uncertain group (n = 72) was equally re-distributed as successes (completely or incompletely healed) or failures at the end control. Five cases showing no healing after one year all ended as failures. Based on these findings it is concluded that the one-year control will provide a valid diagnosis for the majority of cases. Only a minor number, the uncertain healings, need further follow-up.