Periapical status and quality of root fillings and coronal restorations in an adult Spanish population

• Published in: International endodontic journal Vol. 37; no. 8; pp. 525 - 530
• Main Authors: Segura-Egea, J. J., Jiménez-Pinzón, A., Poyato-Ferrera, M., Velasco-Ortega, E., Ríos-Santos, J. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.08.2004
• Subjects: Adult; apical periodontitis; coronal restoration; Dental Pulp Cavity - diagnostic imaging; Dental Restoration Failure; Dental Restoration, Permanent - adverse effects; Dentistry; endodontics; Female; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Observer Variation; Periapical Periodontitis - etiology; periapical status; Quality of Health Care; Radiography; Root Canal Obturation - adverse effects; root fillings; Spain; Tooth Crown - diagnostic imaging
• ISSN: 0143-2885; 1365-2591
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2004.00826.x

Aim  To investigate the quality of root fillings and coronal restorations and their association with periapical status in an adult Spanish population. Methodology  A total of 180 subjects, aged 37.1 ± 15.7 years, who presented as new patients at the Faculty of Dentistry, Seville, Spain, were examined. All participants underwent a full‐mouth radiographic survey incorporating 14 periapical radiographs. The periapical region of all root filled teeth, excluding third molars, were examined. The technical quality of root fillings was evaluated in terms of length in relation to the root apex and lateral adaptation to the canal wall. Radiographic signs of overhang or open margins associated with coronal restorations were also evaluated. Periapical status was assessed using the Periapical Index score. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Cohen's κ test and logistic regression. Results  The total number of root filled teeth was 93, and 60 (64.5%) had apical periodontitis (AP). Presence of AP in root filled teeth was associated with inadequate adaptation of the filling (OR = 2.29; P = 0.06), inadequate length of the root filling (OR = 2.44; P = 0.048), and with poor radiographic quality of the coronal restoration (OR = 2.38; P = 0.054). Only 34.4% of the root fillings were adequate from a technical perspective. When both root fillings and coronal restorations were adequate the incidence of AP decreased to 31.3% (OR = 5.50; P < 0.01). Conclusions  The incidence of AP in root filled teeth was high. Many root fillings were technically unsatisfactory. Adequate root fillings and coronal restorations were associated with a lower incidence of AP; an adequate root filling had a more substantial impact on the outcome of treatment than the quality of the coronal restoration.