Radiological assessment of prevalence and quality of endodontic treatments in a Turkish subpopulation

Abstract

<h3>Objective</h3> The aim of this study was to determine the current prevalence and quality of endodontic treatments and investigate the relationship of various factors with periapical status in a Turkish subpopulation. <h3>Study Design</h3> The CBCT images of 1069 patients (50.9% males, 49.1% females; mean age 45.32 ± 13.50 years) who applied to Kocaeli University Faculty of Dentistry between 2015 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. In total, 20,646 teeth were examined; 1,604 teeth that had undergone root canal treatment met the criteria and were included in the study. The relationship between periapical status of the endodontically treated teeth and the quality of the root canal treatment was recorded. Periapical status was assessed using a modified CBCT periapical index (PAI) by two independent observers. The relation between periapical status and quality of root canal fillings (RCFs) was analyzed statistically using the chi-square test. <h3>Results</h3> The prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) for teeth with RCF was 56.8%, while 7.8% of all teeth had had endodontic treatment. The prevalence of AP was 44.3% in teeth with short RCF, 10.8% with overextended RCF, 35.7% with inadequate RCF, and 15.5% with untreated root canals. 76.2% of root canal obturated teeth with procedural errors were associated with AP. No statistically significant differences were found between genders in terms of AP (p>0,05). AP developed more frequently in teeth treated with procedural errors. <h3>Conclusion</h3> The quality of root canal treatment was poor in this subpopulation. There is a substantial need to improve the technical quality of endodontic treatment. <b>Statement of Ethical Review</b> Human/Animal subjects were used and this study was approved by an institutional ethics panel