When treating a non-vital tooth that has a fistula, what is the recommended procedure?

When treating a non-vital tooth that has a fistula, employing standard root canal procedures without special intervention for the fistula is the recommended approach because the primary goal in this scenario is to address the underlying issue of pulp necrosis and infection.

The presence of a fistula typically indicates that there is a drainage pathway for an infection, meaning that the infection is being somewhat managed by this drainage. Therefore, focusing on the root canal treatment allows for the removal of the necrotic tissue and the source of the infection directly, which can effectively resolve the issue.

During the root canal procedure, the dentist cleans and shapes the root canals, removes infected tissue, and fills the spaces to prevent future infections. This approach addresses the root cause rather than merely treating the symptoms.

Other procedures, such as surgical incision or extraction, are typically reserved for more severe cases where the infection cannot be managed through endodontic treatment alone. In this situation, antibiotic coverage might be utilized in conjunction with endodontic therapy if systemic involvement is a concern, but it is not the primary intervention. Standard root canal therapy addresses the issue at its source, making it the appropriate choice.