Periapical status and prevalence of endodontic treatment in an adult Dutch population

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence of endodontic treatment in a group of 184 Dutch adults, and determined the periapical status of all teeth using panoramic radiographs. The results indicate that in this group, 2.3% of the teeth were root-filled, and that 5.2% of all non-endodontically treated teeth showed signs of periapical pathology. Around the apices of 39.2% of the endodontically treated teeth in this survey, radiographic signs of periapical pathology were observed. Using the level of the root canal filling as a criterion for evaluating the quality of the root canal treatment, 50.6% of the endodontic treatments were qualified as inadequate. There was a significant correlation between the presence of periapical pathology and underfilling of the root canal(s). 44.6% of the patient sample had at least one tooth with radiographic signs of periapical pathology, indicating a substantial future need for endodontic treatment.

Epidemiological evaluation of apical periodontitis prevalence in an urban Brazilian population

“…Other studies have reported the same skewed age distribution. 4,22 One possible explanation is that younger individuals seek dental treatment at dental schools more often than older individuals due to the lower treatment cost at dental schools. Additionally, one cannot eliminate the possibility that older persons may undergo more tooth extractions rather than root canal treatments.…”

“…13,23 In cases that were referred for endodontic treatment, 44.65% of the patients presented with apical periodontitis; this prevalence is similar to that reported in other countries (16%-65%). 4,6,21,22,24,25 Certain studies have described a higher prevalence of apical periodontitis (60%-67.5%). 19,20 According to Khabbaz et al, 26 poorer dental health and inappropriate techniques may contribute to this higher prevalence.…”

“…This finding is supported by several epidemiological studies. 4,6,7,11,19,20,22,24,26,27,28,29,30,31 Ng et al 32 demonstrated the need to improve the technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate students, especially in molars. The technical quality of the root canal treatment and coronal restoration has a significant impact on the periapical health of root-filled teeth.…”

Factors influencing the diagnosis and management of teeth with pulpal and periradicular disease by general dental practitioners. Part 2

“…However despite this assertion, longitudinal studies suggest that the quality of root canal treatment in the developed world is not very high. [2][3][4][5][6] There are some disincentives to performing root canal treatment that include poor remuneration and lack of patient interest. There have been a number of fundamental changes in the philosophy of non-surgical root canal treatment that has led to the development of new techniques and instruments.…”

The outcome of root canal treatment. A retrospective study within the armed forces (Royal Air Force)

“…10,11 Incomplete obturation of the root canal leaves residual space for microbial colonisation and proliferation and may also imply that cleaning was incomplete. Grieve and McAndrew 12 reported that the majority of root fillings in their study of teeth with post retained crowns were unsatisfactory.…”