Influence of filling quality on the periapical status of endodontically treated teeth

Abstract

Abstract Objective To evaluate the radiographic quality of endodontic treatments and their respective coronal restorations, correlating it with periapical status. Material and method The root filling quality of four hundred and sixteen teeth was carefully evaluated regarding three radiographic parameters: i) apical extension, ii) homogeneity and iii) taper, being E0, E1 and E2. E0 and E1 corresponding to sharp and mild deviation from normality, respectively; while E2 corresponding to the gold standard. Due to the combination of the assigned scores, filling was classified as perfect (PF), with three E2 scores; satisfactory (ST), with two E2 scores; or deficient (DF), with one or no E2 score. In addition, periapical status was considered to be a healthy periodontium; thickening of the periodontal ligament and presence of apical periodontitis. Coronary restorations were classified according to the presence and type of restoration. Associations between variables were analyzed using Spearman's Correlation test (p0.05); however, it was significantly associated with the general filling quality (p=0.021). Conclusion Fillings presented low quality standard, being the most critical parameter, negatively influencing the periapical status of the entire sample.

Keywords

• Endodontics
• root canal obturation
• periapical periodontitis
• radiography