Outcome of Initial Endodontic Treatment Performed, by One Specialist, in 122 Tunisian Patients: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Objective To assess the 6- to 24-month outcome of endodontic treatments performed, by one specialist, and to identify prognostic factors that may influence initial endodontic treatment outcome (IETO). Methods One hundred and forty-six patients out of 163 were included. A number of 201 teeth were endodontically treated, and an overall number of 408 canals were obturated. Of these, 165 teeth received initial endodontic treatment (IET). The criteria of the European Society of Endodontology were used to assess the IETO. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05%. Results Apical periodontitis (AP) was present in 42.5% of all cases, with a PAI >3 in 28.5%. The success rate (SR) was 91.5%. It was significantly higher in vital teeth (97%) than in devital teeth (87.7%) (p=0.04); however, a lower SR was recorded in teeth with AP (p=0.02). The lesion healed in 60 teeth (85.7%), decreased in size in 4 teeth (5.7%), and increased in size in 6 teeth (8.5%). A higher SR was obtained when a permanent restoration was present (94%) than absent (68.7%) (p=0.005). Conclusion Within the limitations of the study, pulp and periapical status and permanent restoration are found to be strong outcome predictors.

The Assessment of Quality of the Root Canal Filling and the Number of Visits Needed for Completing Primary Root Canal Treatment by Operators with Different Experience

“…In this investigation, the adequate length for endodontists was noted in 74.48%, which is in agreement with other research [ 26 ], but it is in contrast with others showing higher (86–93.55%) [ 28 , 29 ] or lower percentages (41.2–62.5%) [ 27 , 47 ]. Similarly to these results, the adequate quality of root fillings (length and density) performed by Australian endodontists was found in 77.4–91.0% [ 30 ].…”

“…These discrepancies can be related to different NiTi rotary systems, obturation methods (lateral condensation of cold gutta-percha vs. single cone technique) and number of operators who performed RCT (one vs. more). In the present study, the short-filling of root canals among endodontists was reported in 3.28% of cases, similarly to others [ 26 , 28 ]. However, it is in contrast with the studies where mainly posterior teeth were treated (short-filling in 17.7–18.8%) [ 27 , 47 ].…”

“…The quality assessment of the endodontic treatment carried out by dentistry students as well as GPDs and endodontists was evaluated in the literature [ 12 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Outcome of Root Canal Treatments Provided by Endodontic Postgraduate Students. A Retrospective Study

“…Factors selected for such an evaluation may be more or less restrictive. In general terms, various studies base their analyses on one to three factors [ 3 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], while others assess the influence of multiple factors, taking into account preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors [ 7 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ]. The latter is the case of the present study.…”

“…Regarding the influence of intraoperative complications in RCT outcomes, such as instrument fractures, perforations, apical stops or seats, or a failure to achieve patency, no clear association is found among various studies [ 22 , 40 , 43 , 50 ]. Others, however, reported that they negatively influence the RCT outcome [ 34 , 38 ].…”