Ten-year follow-up of root filled teeth: a radiographic study of a Danish population

• Published in: International endodontic journal Vol. 47; no. 10; pp. 980 - 988
• Main Authors: Kirkevang, L.-L., Væth, M., Wenzel, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Adult; apical periodontitis; Denmark; Dentistry; epidemiology; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Middle Aged; Root Canal Therapy; root filled teeth; survival; treatment quality; Young Adult; Denmark; epidemiology; root filled teeth; apical periodontitis; treatment quality; survival
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/iej.12245

Aim To assess the long‐term outcome of root filled teeth in a general adult population examined in 1997, 2003 and 2008. Methodology The study provides longitudinal, observational information on endodontic status for 327 randomly selected individuals from a general Danish population receiving three consecutive full‐mouth radiographic examinations. The association between root filling quality, periapical disease and the long‐term outcome of the root filling and the root filled tooth was assessed using GEE methodology and tests for trend. Results Overall 13% of the root filled teeth had been extracted, 12% had received a revision of the root filling and 42% of root filled teeth present in 2008 had apical periodontitis (AP) after the 10‐year follow‐up period. The probability of persistent AP was higher if the root filling was either short or long (P = 0.001), if there were voids (P < 0.001), or if there were radiographic signs of overhang or open margin of the restoration (P = 0.01). Further, the probability of extraction was high if there were radiographic signs of overhang or open margin of the restoration (P = 0.008) and if the overall root filling quality was inadequate (test for trend, P = 0.03). Conclusions The root filling quality primarily affected the risk of persistent AP and to a smaller extent the risk of extraction, whereas the quality of the coronal restoration primarily affected the risk of extraction and to a smaller extent the risk of persistent AP. If adjusted for AP present at the initial examination, the associations were less pronounced both in relation to extraction and persistence of AP.