Apex Endodontics P.C

11/09/2025

11/05/2025

One visit retreat performed in 2007 with 14 year recall.

11/02/2025

The SHORT HALLOWEEN Case Of The Day!
Tooth #14 ~ Trick or Treat 👻

Patient came in with slight swelling and discomfort on tooth 14. It had a previous root canal. There was pathology noted around all the roots. A LFOV 3D CBCT was taken. Pathology was noted on the MB, DB, and P roots. In addition, there was a missed MB2.

A one visit retreatment was performed. The canals were disassembled, cleaned and shaped, MB2 located and treated, canals were obturated with bioceramic sealer and single cone gutta percha all in one session. Patient returned in 2 years with remarkable healing taking place.

I explain my procedures in my new textbook “Endodontic Keys And Cases” Available Now On Amazon!



Dr. Rico D. Short
Board Certified Endodontist / Author / Speaker
Apex Endodontics P.C / Atlanta

11/01/2025

Double Trauma Treated With One Visit Bioceramic Sealer Technology ~ Teeth #12 & #13.

A 15 year old came to see me after he was in a car accident 3 months ago. Teeth 12 & 13 were subluxated towards the palatal. The reason why they were not avulsed was because he had orthodontic treatment taking place at the time of the accident. The trauma created horizontal bone loss and periapical pathology on teeth 12 & 13. Both teeth had class II mobility. The diagnosis was a necrotic pulp with chronic apical periodontitis.A LFOV 3D CBCT was taken. There were no cracks in the roots. However, the horizontal bone loss and the large periapical pathology was evident. Endodontic treatment was performed on both teeth at the same time in one visit. The canals were obturated with single cone condensation using ZenSeal by Kerr Dental. Patient returned in 6 months for a follow up. He was asymptomatic. A LFOV 3D CBCT was taken. There was very nice osseous healing taking place and horizontal bone regeneration was evident.I talk more about how to manage trauma cases in my textbook “Endodontic Keys And Cases” on Amazon. It is now 50% OFF!

Dr. Rico D. ShortBoard Certified Endodontist / Author / Speaker Apex Endodontics P.C / Atlanta

10/31/2025

The SHORT Case Of The Day!
Tooth #12 - Large Lateral Lesion / Fracture?

Patient came in with pain on tooth #12. She was at a previous dentist and they recommended an extraction and an implant. She came to see me as a second opinion.

Tooth 12 had a previous root canal with a large lateral lesion and an apical lesion. This tooth appears to be either fractured or could have a lateral periodontal cyst which would require surgery. A LFOV 3D CBCT was taken. Notice how large the lateral lesion is on the 3D scan. There was also apical lesions on the buccal and palatal roots.

I decided to perform a one visit retreatment on this case. The case was disassembled. I used Triton (Brasseler USA) as my single irrigation system on this case. I then used bioceramic sealer (ZenSeal Kerr Dental) with a single cone technique. The patient reported to be asymptomatic a few days later.

Patient returned for a 6 month follow up. She was still asymptomatic. A LFOV 3D CBCT was taken to observe the osseous healing. The lateral lesion is healing very well and so are the apical lesions. The bioceamic sealer really accelerates osseous healing on cases like these. It’s really like fertilizer to the bone due to it’s biological properties.

I talk more about cases like these in my textbook “Endodontic Keys And Cases” available on Amazon.



Dr. Rico D. Short
Board Certified Endodontist / Author / Speaker
Apex Endodontics P.C / Atlanta

10/30/2025

The SHORT Case Of The Day!
Tooth #9 - Trauma Case With Pathology
A 17 year old patient came in with discomfort on tooth #9. There was no restoration in place. She remembers getting hit by a softball in the face 5 years ago. A 2D digital image was taken and there was periapical pathology present. However, mid-root there appeared to be a black dot. A LFOV 3D CBCT was taken. No crack was noted. The black dot was to a lateral canal on the buccal surface.

Endodontic treatment was performed in one visit. The irrigation solution on the case was Triton (all in one) by Brasseler USA. The solution was ultrasonically activated for 1 minute using EndoUltra device by Vista Apex Dental Products. The canal was dried delicately and the conefit was made. The case was obturated using ZenSeal Biocramic Sealer by Kerr Dental. Notice the lateral canal on the buccal aspect. I always depress the area with my finger to make sure the bioceramic does not set up between the bone and mucosa.

Patient returned in 6 months to evaluate healing. Patient was asymptomatic and area was healing very well. You can see the bioceramic sealer sealed the lateral canal very nicely.



Dr. Rico D. Short
Board Certified Endodontist / Author / Speaker
Apex Endodontics P.C / Atlanta

10/28/2025

CBS News reported that healthy teeth were being extracted and implants were being placed without regard for patients oral health. There are situations in which implants need to be done however it’s worth taking the time to try to save the tooth with a root canal procedure if possible.

10/27/2025

The SHORT Case Of The Day!
Tooth #30 - Previous RCT with Separated File and Large Lesion
Patient came in with pain on tooth 30. It had a crown, post, and previous root canal treatment. Patient also had buccal swelling with a separated file in the apical 1/3 (but not at the apex) on the mesial root. A LFOV 3D CBCT was taken with my Carestream Dental 8100 unit. It showed how the bone was blown out on the buccal aspect.

A retreatment was performed in one visit. The post was removed with ultrasonics. The gutta percha was removed with GG drills and chloroform. I was able to bypass the separated file with small precurved handfiles. Triton was the irrigation solution used on this case by Brasseler USA. It was ultrasonically activated as well with the EndoUltra device by Vista Apex Dental Products. The canals were obturated with ZenSeal Bioceramic Sealer by Kerr Dental.

Patient returned for a 6 month recall. She was asymptomatic and very nice osseous healing is taking place.

Take Home Message:
1. Separated files do not cause root canal failure. It’s bacteria around them or beyond them.
2. Bioceramic Sealers are “active” and promote healing.



Dr. Rico D. Short
Board Certified Endodontist / Author / Speaker
Apex Endodontics P.C / Atlanta

10/22/2025

10/20/2025