Endoperiodontal lesions: diagnosis first, then treatment and not always tooth extraction: a cross-sectional survey in Spain and a proposal of a clinical treatment protocol

• Published in: Journal of clinical and experimental dentistry Vol. 16; no. 1; pp. e32 - e41
• Main Authors: García-Tuñón-Pérez, P., Fernández-Jiménez, A., Lafuente-Ibañez-de-Mendoza, I., Estefanía-Fresco, R., Marichalar-Mendia, X., García-De-La-Fuente, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Spain Medicina Oral S.L 2024
• ISSN: 1989-5488; 1989-5488
• DOI: 10.4317/jced.61130

Endoperiodontal lesion (EPL) is defined as a pathological communication between pulpal and periodontal tissues. Currently, accurate diagnosis and treatment of this pathology are challenging. This study aims to identify the different endoperiodontal therapies to propose a clinical protocol to simplify and unify the criteria for EPL treatment. Observational cross-sectional study through an electronic survey. This study matches STROBE guidelines. The anonymous questionnaire contained open-ended and close-ended questions and was distributed to dentistry professors of the UPV/EHU and different professionals from Spanish associations and scientific societies. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics. A total of 128 responses were obtained, of which 120 were active professionals or had not been so for less than 5 years. The majority of professionals were women (65.6%) and from the Basque Country (63.9%). A total of 86.6% reported having complementary studies to a degree or a bachelor's degree. The treatments performed by these professionals were similar to those reported in the literature, which started with root canal treatment when there was an endodontic origin (91.5%), and with basic periodontal treatment when periodontal (51.3%). Considering the current scientific evidence and the clinical practice of professionals in the treatment of EPL, we designed a clinical protocol. This protocol needs validation in larger populations and with longer follow-ups. Clinical protocol, Dental pulp diseases, Periodontal diseases, Review, Surveys and questionnaires.