Management of heat-induced bone necrosis following thermal removal of gutta-percha

Many endodontically treated teeth require a post to improve the retention of the coronal restoration, which necessitates removal of the coronal part of the gutta-percha from the canal by thermal method, among other techniques. However, this technique carries the risk of heat conduction to the attachment unit of the periodontium and infliction of permanent damage especially in cases where the remaining root's dentin walls are thin. The overall objective of this article is to report on the clinical manifestations, histologic description, and periodontal management of three cases of heat-induced damage following thermal removal of gutta-percha. Keywords: bone necrosis, gutta-percha, heat-induced, periodontal regeneration, thermal removal