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

The effect of periapical lesion size on the success rate of different endodontic treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

This systematic review evaluated the effect of periapical lesion (PL) size on the success rate of different endodontic treatments, including root canal treatment (RCT), non-surgical retreatment (NSR), and apical surgery (AS).

METHODS

Cohorts and randomized controlled trials investigating the outcomes of endodontic treatment of permanent teeth with PL and its size were identified electronically through Web of Science, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Embase databases. Two reviewers independently conducted the study selection, data extraction, and critical appraisal process. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the 11-item Critical Appraisal Skills Program checklist for randomized controlled trials. The success rates of the endodontic treatments (small lesions and large lesions) were estimated using the rate ratios (RRs) with an associated 95% confidence interval (CI).

RESULTS

Out of 44 included studies, 42 were cohort, and 2 were randomized controlled trials. Thirty-two studies had poor quality. For the meta-analysis, five studies in RCT, 4 in NSR, and 3 in AS were considered. The RR of the endodontic treatment success in PLs was 1.04 in RCT (95% CI, 0.99-1.07), 1.11 in NSR (95% CI, 0.99-1.24), and 1.06 in AS (95% CI, 0.97-1.16). Only sub-group analysis of long-term follow-up of RCT showed a significantly higher success rate in small lesions than in large lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the quality of studies and variation in outcomes and size classification, our meta-analysis demonstrated that the PL size had no significant effect on the success rate of different endodontic treatments.

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

The main goal of root canal treatment (RCT) is to eradicate or essentially diminish the microbial population within the root canal system and to prevent reinfection by a proper chemo-mechanical preparation and hermetic final obturation of the root canal space. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of the root canal filling and the number of visits needed for completing RCT by operators with different experience, including dentistry students (4th and 5th year), general dental practitioners (GDPs), and endodontists. Data from medical records of 798 patients were analyzed, obtaining 900 teeth and 1773 obturated canals according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A similar number of teeth was assessed in each group in terms of density and length of root canal filling and number of visits. The larger number of visits and the lower quality of treatment was observed for 4th year students than for other groups (p < 0.05); in contrast, the endodontists needed the lowest number of visits to complete RCT and more often overfilled teeth than other operator groups (p < 0.05). Interestingly, no statistical difference in quality of root canal filling was noted between 5th year students, GPDs and endodontists. The treatment of lower teeth demanded statistically more visits than that of upper teeth (p < 0.05). The results of the study emphasize that most of the root canal filling performed by operators was considered adequate, regardless of tooth type, files used and number of visits.

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

The aim of this study was to assess the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors that influenced complete periapical healing in teeth that underwent primary root canal treatment (RCT), in patients treated by postgraduate students in endodontics. Factors were retrieved and compared with the periapical status during the follow-up visit. Healing was considered as the absence of clinical and radiological symptoms. Variables significantly associated by the chi-squared test were included in a logistic regression model (LRM). Preoperative factors associated with healing were: American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) status (p = 0.01); the absence of preoperative pain (p = 0.04); positive response to pulp tests; when the RCT cause was caries, pain, abscess, or sinus tract; probing depth <4 mm; the absence of mobility; absence or <4 mm periapical lesion (p < 0.01). In the LRM, the factors included were: absence or <4 mm periapical lesion; probing depths <4 mm; RCT caused by caries, pain, abscess, or sinus tract; the tooth was not a bridge abutment. Postoperative factors were: teeth with direct restoration; teeth that did not act as a support for a fixed prosthetic restoration; the favorable condition of the coronal restoration (p < 0.01). In the LRM, only the status of the coronal restoration was included. Preoperative conditions and the adequate fit of the coronal restoration influenced the outcome of RCT.