Prognosis of root canal treatments filled with Thermafil system: a 5-year retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to assess the clinical and radiographic outcome after 5 ± 1 years of root canal treatments filled with Thermafil (TF) and to evaluate if the success rate is consistent with results reported by Literature with standard techniques. Methodology: A total of 213 endodontically treated teeth filled with TF and AH Plus were retrospectively examined. Following data were collected: initial pathology, primary treatment/retreatment and root filling length. Preoperative Periapical Index (PAI) was used as scoring system. At 5-years evaluation, teeth were judged healthy (PAI ≤ 2, no symptoms), endodontically-diseased (PAI ≥ 3 and/or symptoms, extraction or reintervention for endodontic reasons) or not-endodontically-diseased (root fracture, destructive caries, periodontal abscess). Outcome was blindly assessed by two examiners. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed. Results: The total survival rate was 88%. Before the end-point, 20 teeth were extracted for not-endodontic reasons. Of the 193 analyzed teeth, 85% were considered healthy and proportions were significantly higher (Chi-square; p < 0.04) for teeth without initial radiolucency and when final length of root filling material was adequate. Logistic regression showed that the preoperative PAI ≤ 2 significantly increased the healing rate (risk ratio [RR] 3.09; 95% CI, 1.12–8.53). Conclusions: The overall healing rate of the present investigation was similar to that previously reported by well-documented obturation techniques. The prognosis of endodontic therapies performed with TF obturation system supports the clinical use in a post-graduated Master Program.

Keywords

• Clinical outcome
• Endodontic prognosis
• Retrospective clinical study
• Root canal treatment
• Thermafil