After completing endodontic therapy on a tooth with periapical radiolucency, when is a marked reduction in size of the radiolucency expected?

A marked reduction in the size of periapical radiolucency after endodontic therapy is typically observed around one year following treatment. The healing process involves the body’s natural response to the removal of infection and inflammation around the root apex. Initially, there may be little to no noticeable change in the radiolucency; however, within the first few months, some signs of healing can begin to appear.

Around the one-year mark, significant changes are usually evident, as the bone remodeling process takes time. The rate of healing can vary depending on several factors, including the extent of prior pathology, the type of endodontic treatment performed, and individual patient factors.

Shorter time frames, such as two weeks or three months, may show some initial changes, but it's generally recognized that a substantial reduction in radiolucency occurs around the one-year point. Six months could show early signs of healing, but it's not typically conclusive.

Thus, the expectation for a marked reduction aligns best with the one-year timeline, as this duration allows for enough time for physiological processes to take effect fully following the procedure.