Qualitative Analysis of Root Canal Treatments performed by Undergraduate Students: A Retrospective Study

Muhammad Atif Saleem Agwan,Sameer Shaikh,Abubakar Sheikh

doi:10.1590/pboci.2021.156

Abstract

Objective: Toanalyze the technical quality of endodontic treatment carried out at the undergraduate dental clinics. Material and Methods: Random radiographic records of 92 patients’ were selected who received endodontic treatment by the undergraduate students from June 2018 to July 2019. The quality of root canal filling was determined in relation to the adequate density, length, and taper. Statistical analysis was performed by using GraphPad (Prism 5), and to determine the association between different variables Chi-square test was used. Results: Adequate technical quality of canal obturation conducted by the undergraduate students was found in less than 65% of the cases. The frequency of adequate root canal taper was significantly greater in maxillary teeth (75%) as compared to mandibular teeth (33%); however, adequacy of acceptable density was found more in maxillary teeth (62%) as compared to mandibular teeth (55%).A statistically significant difference was seen in the quality of root canal fillings between anterior and posterior teeth (p=0.001). Conclusion: The root canal therapy performed by undergraduate students was less than optimum in terms of technical quality. Hence, it is suggested that the endodontic training courses delivered at pre-clinical and clinical levelsfor undergraduate students must be thoroughly revised.

Highlights

To preserve teeth, root canal treatment is one of the primary forms of therapy provided as part of oral health care [1]
The root canal therapy performed by undergraduate students was less than optimum in terms of technical quality
Radiographic analysis of obturation density, length of the canal filling from radiographic apex and tapered preparation of the root canal is evaluated to determine the quality of root canal treatment [9,10]

Summary

Introduction

Root canal treatment is one of the primary forms of therapy provided as part of oral health care [1]. There are multiple steps for root canal treatment, including extirpation of pulp, canal preparation, and obturation [2]. Obturation is the final and the most important step in an endodontic treatment, which determines the quality of root canal treatment radiographically [3]. The procedure used to evaluate the quality of endodontic treatment is based on the sequence of steps from evaluating the clinical findings, radiographs and histological findings [7,8]. Radiographic analysis of obturation density, length of the canal filling from radiographic apex and tapered preparation of the root canal is evaluated to determine the quality of root canal treatment [9,10]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion