Evaluation of the outcome of non-surgical root canal treatment performed at the student clinic, University of Tromsø

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of non-surgical root canal treatment performed at the student clinic and the factors influencing this outcome.

Materials and methods: This retrospective study involved follow-up of patients who had been receiving root canal treatments at the Student Clinic University of Tromsø (UTK). Endodontic records and periapical radiographs of 141 teeth from 126 patients were collected, 89 patients met our inclusion criterias. The recall rate was 76% with 68 patients, and we followed up 83 teeth. Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results: The rate of healed/healing of root canal treatments ranged from 81% to 92%, depending on the pulp status pretreatment. Higher failure rate occurred in 4th year students compared to 5th year students (20 and 7% respectively), and in multi rooted teeth compared to single rooted (17 and 8%) and more than 2 sessions compared to 2 sessions (19 and 6%) and in the use of handfiles compared to Pro Taper ( 17 and 8%). Overall quality of obturation was low, with only 33 complete filled teeth (40%). When root canal fillings were more than 2 mm short from radiological apex failure rate was high, 7 teeth (26%), as compared to flush fillings with 4 (9%) cases of failure. Overfilled teeth did not show any failures.

Conclusion: Overall, in spite of a relative high healed/healing rate, there is need for improvement when it comes to the quality of obturation and number of treatment sessions. Further long-term follow-up is recommended to achieve a more reliable outcome result.