FREQUENCY OF ENDODONTIC TREATMENT AND PREVALENCE OF APICAL PERIODONTITIS IN ABUTMENT TEETH – A RADIOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Pre- and pro- prosthodontic root canal treatment (RCT) must be performed under specific indications. The purpose of this treatment is to ensure the aggregation of dental prostheses and prevent certain subsequent dental pulp complications. However, pre- and pro- prosthodontic RCT had been previously done only in order to provide comfort for both patient and doctor, a fact that generated periapical complications in some cases. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of periapical lesions associated with endodontic treatment of abutment teeth, in a group of adult Romanian patients. Material and methods: The study consisted of 472 patients, clinically examined and whose ortopantomographies were assessed for the quality of the abutment teeth’s endodontic treatment and periapical status. Results: Of the 1544 investigated abutment teeth, 68.13% were root-filled. Chronic periapical lesions were observed in 49.80% of the abutment teeth with RCT, compared to 34.15% in the abutment teeth without endodontic treatment. Conclusions: Apical periodontitis recorded a high prevalence in root-filled abutment teeth of adult patients, taking part in the study.

Keywords

• abutment teeth
• apical periodontitis
• endodontic treatment
• ortopantomography