CLASSIFICATION AND TREATMENT APPROACH FOR ENDODONTIC-PERIODONTAL LESIONS

Abstract

 Inflammatory and infectious conditions affecting both the pulp and periodontal tissues simultaneously are called endodontic-periodontal lesions. They can originate in one of these tissues and, as they progress, involve the other, or they can originate independently and, due to their evolution, become interconnected. Root anatomical characteristics and non-physiological pathways allow communication between these tissues, leading to the exchange of contaminants. This article aimed to review the literature characterizing different classifications and approaches for the treatment of endodontic-periodontal lesions. English and Portuguese descriptors were used to search databases, and 30 articles published between 2020 and 2025 were selected. Over the years, several classifications have been developed; however, the one proposed by Simon is still the most widely used because it associates etiology with the affected tissues. During the 2017 World Workshop, a classification was proposed that takes into account the current state of the disease. Despite different classifications, the diagnosis of endodontic-periodontal lesions involves a medical history combined with pulp vitality testing, periodontal probing characteristics, and radiographic evaluation. Treatment begins with endodontics, and periodontal therapy may or may not be performed depending on the characteristics of tissue repair. Therefore, the success of treatment depends on proper diagnosis and therapeutic sequence.