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Objetivo: Evaluar radiográficamente tratamientos en- dodónticos del sector posterior de la cavidad bucal y com- parar la frecuencia de aceptabilidad en cada pieza dentaria involucrada. Materiales y métodos: Se evaluaron 5000 radiogra- fías de archivo de tratamientos endodónticos realizados apro- ximadamente entre 2005 y 2019 en premolares y molares mandibulares y maxilares en Argentina. Se consideraron tratamientos correctos e incorrectos de acuerdo con: 1) con- formación de la preparación quirúrgica; 2) límite apical de la obturación; 3) homogeneidad de la obturación. Se obtuvo la fre- cuencia absoluta y relativa de correctos e incorrectos. El aná- lisis entre frecuencias y pieza dentaria se realizó con la prueba de chi cuadrado y el cálculo del coeficiente V de Cramer. Para la comparación entre grupos de piezas dentarias se utilizó la partición del valor de chi cuadrado obtenido en los corres- pondientes grados de libertad. Nivel de significación P <0.05. Resultados: La partición del valor de chi cuadrado no mostró diferencias significativas entre primeros y segundos premolares mandibulares. Las otras comparaciones exhibie- ron diferencias significativas. Conclusiones: Un alto porcentaje de los tratamientos endodónticos de la población estudiada tiene por lo menos una condición que permite categorizarlos como incorrectos según el criterio establecido en este trabajo. Este porcentaje es más preponderante en anatomías complejas (AU)

Aim: To evaluate radiographically endodontic treat- ments performed in the posterior area of the oral cavity and compare the frequency of acceptability in each tooth involved. Materials and methods: 5,000 archival radiographs of endodontic treatments performed between 2005 and 2019 on mandibular and maxillary premolars and molars in Argentina were evaluated. The percentages of correct and incorrect treatments were considered according to 1) shaping of the preparation; 2) apical limit of the obturation; 3) homogeneity of the obturation. The absolute and relative frequencies of correct and incorrect treatments were calcu- lated. The association between these frequencies and tooth type was analyzed using the chi-square test and Cramer's V coefficient. For the comparison between groups of teeth, the partition of the chi-square value obtained in the corre- sponding degrees of freedom was used. Level of significance was P <0.05. Results: The partition of the chi-square value did not show a significant difference between the first and second lower premolars. The differences were significant in the other comparisons. Conclusions: A high percentage of the endodontic treat- ments in the study population have at least one condition war- ranting their classification as incorrect according to the crite- ria established in this study. This percentage is more prevalent in complex anatomies (AU)

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El tratamiento endodóntico tiene como finalidad prevenir o lograr la ausencia de periodontitis apical post-tratamiento, logrando la mantención del diente en la boca de manera funcional. La realización de tratamientos endodónticos de baja complejidad en la formación de pregrado es transversal a todas las universidades chilenas. El objetivo del presente estudio es evaluar la frecuencia de éxito de tratamientos endodónticos realizados por estudiantes de pregrado entre los años 2014-2017 de la Escuela de Odontología, Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh), Valdivia, Chile. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo donde fueron evaluados 74 tratamientos endodónticos en dientes uniradiculares de 63 pacientes seleccionados a través de un muestreo aleatorio simple, que cumplieran con los criterios de selección. Los parámetros usados para la evaluación clínica fueron: ausencia de dolor a la palpación y percusión, ausencia de fístula y diente en función. En la evaluación radiográfica se utilizaron los siguientes parámetros: longitud de obturación en relación al ápice dentario, conicidad, densidad del material obturador y reducción de la lesión periapical. De los tratamientos evaluados se reportó un 78 % de éxito clínico y un 41 % de éxito radiográfico. Finalmente, se concluye que los resultados obtenidos a nivel clínico y radiográfico son similares a los reportados en la literatura.

The objective of endodontic treatment is to prevent or achieve the absence of post-treatment apical periodontitis, thereby maintaining functionality of the tooth in the mouth. In Chilean universities undergraduate programs, training in endodontics is limited to low level complexity cases and is transversal throughout the universities. The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency of success of endodontic treatments performed by undergraduate students between the years 2014-2017 of the School of Dentistry, Universidad Austral de Chile (UACh), Valdivia, Chile. A descriptive observational study was conducted where 74 endodontic treatments were evaluated in uniradicular teeth of 63 patients, selected through a simple random sampling, that met selection criteria. The criteria used for the clinical evaluation were: absence of pain on palpation and percussion, absence of fistula and function tooth. In the radiographic evaluation the following criteria were used: length of obturation in relation to the dental apex, taper, density of the obturator material and reduction of the periapical lesion. Of the treatments evaluated, 78 % clinical success and 41 % radiographic success were reported. Finally, it is concluded that the results obtained at clinical and radiographic level are similar to those reported in the literature.

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AIM: To study patient- and tooth-specific characteristics of teeth indicated for root canal treatment, in the public dental service of the county of Västra Götaland, Sweden. METHODOLOGY: During a designated 8-week period, general dental practitioners working at 20 different public dental clinics consecutively registered indications for undertaking root canal treatment. The patients' subjective level of pain was also registered (visual analogue scale) at the very first appointment. The following information was retrieved from computerized dental records and radiographs: gender, age, number of remaining teeth, tooth group, previous restoration, number of restored surfaces, dental caries and tooth substance loss. Gender and age were compared using both descriptive and analytical statistics. RESULTS: The material comprised 243 teeth in 243 patients: 128 (52.7%) women and 115 (47.3%) men, mean age 48.3 years. Molar teeth predominated (47.7%). Most of the teeth (83.5%) had previously been restored and exhibited significant loss of tooth substance, more than a third of the crown (71.3%). Dental caries was present in 127 teeth (62.9%). Dental trauma was implicated in only seven cases (2.9%). Initial treatment was frequently undertaken at an emergency visit, for relief of symptoms (64.9%). The most commonly registered indication was pulpal necrosis with apical periodontitis (38.1%), followed by pulpitis (37.7%). Retreatment of a root filled tooth was reported in 18 teeth (7.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In the general Public Dental Service of Sweden, root canal treatment is most frequently undertaken in molars. The primary indication is relief of symptoms. Retreatment of root filled teeth is uncommon.

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BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Progress in endodontic techniques and methodological advances have altered root canal therapy over the last decades. These techniques and methods need periodical documentation. This observational study determined the current prevalence of endodontic treatments, and investigated the relationship of various factors with the periapical status in a Lower Austrian subpopulation. METHODOLOGY: One thousand orthopantomograms of first-time university adult patients radiographed at an outpatient clinic were evaluated. For each tooth, the presence of periradicular pathosis and/or endodontic treatment was recorded, as was the quality of (post-)endodontic treatment (homogeneity and length of root canal fillings; preparation failures; posts/screws; apicoectomies; coronal restorations). Two evaluators, blinded to each other, scored all teeth. In cases of disagreement, they joined for a consensus score. RESULTS: In all, 22,586 teeth were counted. Of these, 2,907 teeth (12.9%) had periapical pathosis, while 2,504 teeth had undergone root canal treatment. Of the endodontically treated teeth, 52% showed no radiographic signs of apical periodontitis, while 44.9% had overt apical lesions, and 3,1% revealed widened periodontal ligament space. The majority of the root canal fillings was inhomogeneous (70.4%); 75.4% were rated too short, and 3.8% too long. The presence of apical pathosis was significantly correlated (odds ratio (OR) 2.556 [confidence interval (CI) 2.076-3.146]; P<0.0001) with poor root canal fillings (length and homogeneity). Posts or screws positively affected periapical status (OR 1.853 [CI 1.219-2.819]; P = 0.004), but endodontically treated posterior teeth were infrequently restored (posts, 7.5%; screws, 2.7%). Best results were found for teeth with both appropriate endodontic treatment and adequate coronal restoration. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of periradicular radiolucencies was observed with root canal filled teeth, along with high numbers of unmet treatment needs. Periapical health was associated with adequate root canal obturation and high-grade postendodontic restorations, and quality regarding these latter aspects is considered mandatory to promote periapical health.

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Objetivo: evaluar radiográficamente la calidad de 700 tratamientos endodónticos realizados a nivel nacional entre los años 2004 y 2014. Materiales y métodos: en un total de 700 tratamientos endodónticos de incisivos y caninos inferiores y superiores humanos, se analizó la calidad de la obturación endodóntica en relación con su límite apical, homogeneidad, material empleado y el respeto de la anatomía original. Asimismo, fueron consideradas la restauración coronaria y la existencia de anclajes intrarradiculares. En cuanto a la calidad global, se calculó la frecuencia porcentual de casos incorrectos y el correspondiente intervalo de confianza (95 por ciento). Resultados: se observó un 48,1 +- 3,7 por ciento de tratamientos deficientes. Del total de dientes evaluados clínicamente, el 26,7 por ciento presentaba restauraciones coronarias, el 65,9 por ciento coronas y el 7,4 por ciento obturaciones temporarias o ausencia de restauración. En el análisis radiográfico, el 63 por ciento tenía anclajes intrarradiculares. Conclusión: la frecuencia de tratamientos deficientes hallada es una información relevante al establecer políticas para la atención de la salud y la formación de recursos profesionales.

Aim: the radiographic evaluation the quality of 700 endodontic treatments performed during 2004-2014, in the national environment. Materials and methods: The endodontic obturationquality in relation to the apical limit, homogeneity, material usedand the original anatomic consideration were analyzed in 700 radiographic images from human maxillary and mandibular incisors and canines. The coronal restoration and the presence of intracanal anchorage were also considered. In the case of overal lquality, percent frequency of incorrect treatments as well as thecorresponding confidence interval (95%) was calculated. Results: 48.1 ± 3.7% of deficient treatments were observed. From the total of the clinical evaluated teeth 26.7% showed coronal restorations, 65.9% crowns and 7.4% temporaryor absent coronal fillings. In the radiographic analysis 63% showed intracanal anchorage. Conclusion: The frequency of deficient treatments thatwas found is relevant information that has to be taken intoaccount when establishing policies for health care servicesand professional training.

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Objetivo: el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la calidad de las obturaciones endodónticas en molares superiores instrumentados con técnicas manuales y rotatorias, por estudiantes de posgrado. Materiales y métodos: para este estudio, se analizaron las radiografías de endodoncias que fueron realizadas durante un año por alumnos de un curso de posgrado en endodoncia, en primeros y segundos molares superiores, con ténicas de instrumentación manual y rotatoria y posteriormente obturadas con técnica de condensación lateral. Se analizó la calidad de las obturaciones endodónticas en función de la longitud y la homogeneidad de la masa de gutapercha. Resultados: el 53,6 por ciento de las obturaciones estaba dentro de los límites del conducto radicular y en el 65,2 por ciento de los casos, la homogeneidad fue incorrecta. En cuanto a la longitud, no se verificaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre las técnicas, como ocurrió con la homogeneidad (p<0,05). La frecuencia de inadecuados en ewsta última fue mayor para la técnica manual. La mayor cantidad de fallas en la obturación se registró en el conducto mesiovestibular. Conclusión: la calidad de las obturaciones no depende de la técnica de instrumentación empleada, sino de la experiencia del profesional interviniente y del tipo de conducto radicular tratado.(AU)

Aim: the aim of this study was to evaluate the quality ofendodontic fillings in upper molars instrumented with manualand rotary techniques by posgraduate students.Materials and methods: Radiographs of first and secondupper molars root canal treatments performed by studentsof a posgraduate endodontic course during a year wereanalyzed. Either manual or rotary instrumentation techniqueswere used and obturation was carried out using lateral condensation.Quality of endodontic obturation was analyzed accordingto length and homogeneity.Results: There were acceptable lengths of root canalfillings in 53.6% and homogeneity was incorrect in 65.2% ofthe cases. There was no statistically significance difference betweentechniques for the case of length, but there were statisticallysignificance difference for homogenity (p>0.05). Moredefective obturations were registered in the mesiobuccal canal.Conclusion: Independent of the instrumentation technique,the quality of root fillings is inherent to the professionalexperience and the type of root canal treated.

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OBJECTIVES: To document deep carious lesions and other consequences of caries (DCL-CC) in molars of 18-year olds leaving the free-of-charge Public Dental Health Service (PDHS). To explore the association between background factors and DCL-CC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The final study sample (n=1876) comprised 95% of individuals born in 1993 and registered in the PDHS in Troms County, Northern Norway. The most recent digital bitewing radiographs of each subject were examined for DCL-CC (deep untreated carious lesions, deep restorations, root canal obturations or extractions due to caries). Inter- and intra-observer kappa scores were 0.62 and 0.87, respectively. Information on background factors (gender, clinic location, history of medical problems, bitewing examination interval, DMFT score and planned recalls) were retrieved from dental records. RESULTS: About one-quarter of subjects (488) had at least one molar with DCL-CC. There were 848 molars in total with DCL-CC; the majority were deep restorations (70%), but 4% were deep untreated carious lesions. More than a quarter of DCL-CC were either root canal obturations (14%) or extractions (12%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses showed that a 1-unit increase in DMFT score was associated with deep untreated carious lesions and extractions due to caries. There was no association between urban/rural clinic location, which indicated socio-economic status, and either DMFT score or DCL-CC. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the existence of a free-of-charge dental service, more than one-quarter of the subjects in the present study had at least one molar with DCL-CC.

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This study comprises a survey of Swedish dentists'treatment preferences in cases of carious exposure of the dental pulp in adults.The survey was conducted as part of a comprehensive report on methods of diagnosis and treatment in endodontics, published in 2010 by the Swedish Council on Health Technology Assessment. A questionnaire was mailed to a random subsample of 2012 dental offices where one dentist at each office was requested to answer all questions. Each questionnaire contained one of three sets of questions about endodontic practice routines.Thus around one-third of the subsample received case-specific questions about treating carious exposure. Only general practitioners aged below 70 years were included.The final study sample comprised 412 participants.The dentists were presented with two case scenarios. In Case 1 a 22-year old patient had a deep carious lesion in tooth 36 and in Case 2 a 50-year old patient had a deep carious lesion in tooth 14.The participants were asked to nominate their treatment of choice: pulp capping, partial pulpotomy or pulpectomy. For Case 1, 17 per cent of the respondents selected pulpectomy; the corresponding rate for Case 2 was 47 per cent. Female gender and age group 25-49 years were predictive of selection of less invasive treatment options. However, according to recent guidelines (2011) from the National Board of Health and Wellfare, Swedish dentists are recommended to elect pulpectomy prior to pulp capping/partial pulpotomy when confronted with a tooth having a cariously exposed pulp in adults.

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Objetivos: El propósito de este trabajo fue analizar la adaptación y homogeneidad de la obturación en los tercios cervical, medio y apical depremolares inferiores unirradiculares, utilizando las técnicas de condensación lateral e híbrida de Tagger con los cementos de Grossman y AH 26. Materiales y métodos: Se utilizaron 32 premolares inferiores humanos extraídos, unirradiculares, con ápice maduro. Las piezas fueron instrumentadas con sistema Protaper Universal hasta F3. Luego fueron divididas aleatoriamente en 4 grupos de 8 muestras cada uno. Grupos A y B se obturaron con técnica de condensación lateral, grupos C y D con técnica híbrida de Tagger. En A y C su uso cemento deGrossman, en B y D AH 26. Se realizaron cortes transversales a nivel coronario, medio y apical que se evaluaron con microscopio quirúrgico a X 2,5. Se realizó test no paramétrico U de Mann-Whitney. Resultados: Para determinar si existía diferencia entre las dos técnicas de obturación al usar cemento de Grossman se utilizó Test deMann-Whitney. Se observó diferencia significativa entre las medianas de scoring de ambos grupos (U=192; p<0,05). Al evaluar las dos técnicas utilizando AH 26 existió diferencia significativa entre las medianas de scoring de ambos grupos (U=191,5; p<0,05). Conclusión: Los conductos ovales obturados con técnica híbrida de Tagger, presentaron mejor homogeneidad y mayor adaptación a lasparedes en los tres tercios que los obturados con técnica de condensación lateral. Al utilizar cemento de Grosmann o AH 26 como sellador no se observó diferencia significativa en ninguna de las dos técnicas.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the adaptation and homogeneity of the filling in the thirds cervical, middle and apical of single-rooted premolars, using lateral condensation technique and Tagger's hybrid technique with Grossman sealer and AH 26. Materials and Methods: We used 32 extracted human premolars, single-rooted, with mature apex. The pieces were instrumented with ProTaper Universal system to F3. Then they were randomly divided into 4 groups of 8 samples each. Groups A and B were filled with lateral condensation technique, groups C and D with Tagger's hybrid technique. In A and C Grossman sealer were use, in B and D AH 26. Crosscuts were made at coronary, medium and apical level and all were evaluated with 2.5 X surgical microscope. We performed nonparametric Mann-Whitney test. Results: To determine if there was difference between the two filling techniques using Grossman sealer was used Mann-Whitney test. Significant difference was observed between the medians of scoring from both groups (U = 192, p <0.05). In evaluating the two techniques using AH 26, significant difference observed between the medians of scoring from both groups (U = 191.5, P <0.05). Conclusion: The oval canal sealed with Tagger's hybrid technique, showed better homogeneity and better adaptation to the walls in the three thirds that filling with lateral condensation technique. Using Grosmann sealer or AH 26 sealer there was no significant difference in any of the two techniques.

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AIM: To investigate the pattern of routine endodontic practices among Nigerian dentists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a questionnaire-based survey of samples of dentists in the Nigerian cities of Enugu and Benin. The self-administered questionnaire contained 25 close-ended questions with multiple choice options. The data collected included demographic details of respondents, root canal preparation techniques, irrigants and intracanal medicaments used, the number of appointments, method of working length determination, root filling techniques, cements used, and the scope of treatment performed. RESULTS: Most respondents used sodium hypochlorite as the irrigant, the step back technique for canal preparation, and lateral condensation with a zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealer for obturation. Most respondents did root canal treatment on all types of teeth and used radiographs to determine the working length 70% of the time. Most respondents followed up their patients for less than 12 months and most treated teeth with periapical areas larger than 10 mm by root canal therapy combined with apical surgery. CONCLUSION: Most Nigerian dentists use step back technique for canal preparation and lateral condensation for obturation. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Endodontic practice by Nigerian dentists differs from some established practice quality guidelines in many other countries, particularly in nonperfusion of modern techniques into practice, popularity of antibiotic use for endodontic emergencies and a high rate of perforations.

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INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the most suitable estimates of the event date for Kaplan-Meier (K-M) survival analysis for the assessment of endodontic treatment outcomes. Survival probability computed using the Weibull accelerated failure time (WAFT) models based on interval-censored data was used for comparison. METHODS: A sample of root canal-treated teeth was included for survival analysis using the K-M and WAFT models. Treatment outcomes were categorized for the presence or absence of periapical healing and tooth survival. For the K-M analysis, the following time estimates between a visit when failure was diagnosed and the preceding visit were tested: the one-quarter point (T1), the half-way point (T2), the three-quarter point (T3), the date of diagnosis (T4), and the geometric mean (T5). RESULTS: The survival curve plotted from T2 consistently showed the least discrepancies in trend when compared against the WAFT curve. Those curves generated from T1 to T5 were significantly different from each other for periapical healing but not for tooth survival. CONCLUSIONS: T2 is the most reliable date for K-M analysis for measuring endodontic outcomes, especially when periapical healing is concerned. T4 would be a reasonable estimate for assessing tooth survival. Further research aiming at appropriate statistical exercise with simulations followed by proper goodness of fit tests should be considered.

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INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional study determined the prevalence of apical periodontitis in 1086 root canal-treated teeth from an urban Colombian population and evaluated the association of several factors with the periradicular status. METHODS: Periapical radiographs were used for analyses, and teeth were classified as healthy or diseased according to the periradicular status. Other factors were also evaluated for their association with the periradicular conditions, including gender, quality of both endodontic treatment and coronal restoration, apical level of filling, and presence of post restoration. RESULTS: Fifty-one percent of the treated teeth were classified as healthy. Only 33% of the teeth had endodontic treatment rated as adequate. The quality of both endodontic treatment and coronal restoration significantly influenced the periradicular conditions (P < .001). Combined data revealed that teeth with both adequate endodontic treatment and adequate restorations showed significantly better periradicular status than the other combinations (P < .01), except for teeth with adequate treatment and inadequate restoration (P = .08). Canals filled up to 0-2 mm short of the apex had a significantly higher number of teeth rated as healthy than overfilled or underfilled cases (P = .02). Regression analysis showed that the quality of endodontic treatment was the most significant factor influencing the periradicular status (P < .001). Gender and presence of post restoration had no association with the periradicular conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this Colombian population showed a relatively high prevalence of apical periodontitis in root canal-treated teeth. This was largely due to an equally high prevalence of treatments performed under substandard technical quality. The quality of the endodontic treatment was the most determinant factor for healthy periradicular status.

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OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to gather information about the quality and quantity of root canal treatments carried out by general dental practitioners in Turkey. METHODS: Questionnaires were given to 1400 dentists who attended the 16th National Congress organized by the Turkish Dental Association. The participants were asked to answer 34 multiple-choice questions. The questions were subdivided into 3 main topics; general information; general approach to endodontic treatment; and cleaning, shaping, and obturation of root canals. The statistical analysis was carried out by an χ²-test to compare the means at a significance level of P < 0.05. RESULTS: The response rate for this study was 43%. There was a wide variation in the number of root canal treatments completed per month. Nearly 92% of practitioners stated that they never used rubber dam. The most commonly used working length determination technique was radiographic evaluation (P < 0.05). Sodium hypochlorite was the irrigant of choice with varying concentrations and AH Plus was the sealer of choice (P < 0.05). Resin composite was the most frequently used material for final restorations. CONCLUSIONS: Endodontic procedures in general practice in Turkey have differences from widely acknowledged quality guidelines. Despite the introduction of new instruments and techniques, most of the general practitioners chose conventional methods.

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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of periapical lesions by evaluating the periapical status and to evaluate the relationship between the technical quality of endodontic treatments and presence of periapical lesions in a Turkish subpopulation. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 11,542 teeth of 438 patients were radiographically evaluated. Presence of endodontic treatment and obturation levels, coronal restorations, and degree of root canal curvature angles were noted. Apical status was assessed by the Periapical Index Scores (PAI). The χ(2) test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Among all teeth, 179 (1.55%) had endodontic treatment and 189 (1.63%) had periapical lesions. Of 179 endodontically treated teeth, 68 (37.99%) had periapical lesions. The prevalence of periapical lesions was found to be significantly high among underfilled teeth (P < .001). In most underfilled teeth, the presence of severe curvatures was particularly of interest. Prevalence of inadequate coronal restorations was significantly high among the teeth with periapical lesions, whether endodontically treated or not (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the present study indicate that considerable effort should be spent by dental practitioners to improve the technical quality of root canal fillings.

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O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência da qualidade do tratamento de canal radicular (TCR), de fatores relacionados à restauração coronária (RC), lesões de cárie e parâmetros clínicos periodontais no estado periapical de dentes tratados endodonticamente. Pacientes (n=124) com TRC realizados nos Cursos de Especialização em Endodontia da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, no período de 2002-2005, foram reavaliados clínica e radiograficamente, entre outubro de 2009 e janeiro de 2010. Foram coletados dados contidos nos prontuários odontológicos (idade, gênero, endereço, telefone, dente tratado, estado periapical pré-operatório, tipo de tratamento, técnicas de instrumentação e obturação empregadas, radiograia final da obturação e tipo de restauração coronária)...

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This study sought to compare the accuracy of two gauges used to alter gutta-percha (GP) cone tips. Randomly selected size 20 cones (with tapers of 0.02, 0.06, 0.10, or 0.12) were trimmed to size 50 (N= 10/taper/gauge) for an overall sample of 80 cones. Accuracy of the altered cone tips was determined by calculating the difference (in %) between the altered tip diameter and the expected tip diameter (0.50 mm). A two-factor ANOVA revealed significant differences (p < or = 0.05) in altered tip accuracy as a result of GP gauge and cone taper. The results suggest that the SybronEndo gauge performs accurately regardless of the cone taper, while the Maillefer gauge was accurate only when used to alter cones with a 0.02 taper.

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The current clinical practice of endodontics includes the utilization of a variety of new technological advances and materials. The last comprehensive survey that compared treatment modalities used in endodontic practices was conducted in 1990. The purpose of the current survey was to determine the frequency with which these new endodontic technologies and materials are being used in endodontic practices today. An e-mail questionnaire was sent to the 636 active diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics with current e-mail addresses. Two hundred thirty-two diplomates responded for a response rate of 35%. Calcium hydroxide was found to be the most frequently used intracanal medicament for all cases diagnosed with necrotic pulps. Ibuprofen was the most frequently prescribed medication for pain, and penicillin was the most frequently prescribed antibiotic when an active infection was present. Eighty-two percent of the respondents are still incorporating hand files in some fashion during the cleansing and shaping phase of treatment. Lateral condensation and continuous wave were the most common methods used for obturation. Digital radiography was reported as being used by 72.5% of the respondents, whereas 45.3% reported using the microscope greater than 75% of the patient treatment. Ultrasonics was used by 97.8% of the respondents. It appears from the results that new endodontic technology is currently being used in the endodontic offices of those who responded to the survey.

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OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to identify the most commonly retreated tooth at a postgraduate endodontics program and to compare this result with teeth requiring primary root canal treatment as well as those that required further surgical endodontic treatment. STUDY DESIGN: The study population consisted of 6,894 patients treated between 2000 and 2005 by endodontic postgraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. Data regarding tooth type and endodontic treatment rendered were obtained from the Penn Endo database. RESULTS: Initial root canal treatment was most commonly done on mandibular molars. Anterior teeth were 1.411 times more likely to undergo NSRT than molars. Maxillary molars were 1.048 times more likely to undergo conventional retreatment than mandibular molars. Maxillary anterior teeth were 3.032 times more likely than mandibular molars to undergo surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Mandibular molars may most commonly receive initial root canal treatment but it is the anterior teeth that are more likely to undergo surgical and nonsurgical retreatment. Maxillary molars are more likely to receive surgical intervention than mandibular molars. These data call for further investigation into the reasons for such discrepancy.

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OBJECTIVE: To investigate the quality of root canal fillings and coronal restorations in relation to periapical status in a Greek population. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A total of 320 patients who required full-mouth radiographic examination were included. The quality of root canal fillings and the periapical status, as well as the quality of coronal restorations, were assessed by radiographic criteria. Results were analyzed using random effects logistic regression models. RESULTS: Root canals with adequate filling length had a lower incidence of apical periodontitis than root canals with inadequate filling length (51.7% versus 63.4%, P ;= .002). Root-filled canals with adequate coronal restorations showed a lower incidence of apical periodontitis than those with inadequate restorations (47.3% versus 67.4%, P; < .001). When both root filling and coronal restoration were assessed, the incidence of apical periodontitis ranged from 39.2% to 67.6%. CONCLUSION: Quality of root canal treatment, as well as quality of coronal restoration, are strongly associated with the incidence of apical periodontitis.

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The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and risk factors of apical periodontitis in endodontically treated teeth in a selected population of Brazilian adults. A total of 1,372 periapical radiographs of endodontically treated teeth were analyzed based on the quality of root filling, status of coronal restoration and presence of posts associated with apical periodontitis (AP). Data were analyzed statistically using odds ratio, confidence intervals and chi-square test. The prevalence of AP with adequate endodontic treatment was low (16.5%). This percentage dropped to 12.1% in cases with adequate root filling and adequate coronal restoration. Teeth with adequate endodontic treatment and poor coronal restoration had an AP prevalence of 27.9%. AP increased to 71.7% in teeth with poor endodontic treatment associated with poor coronal restoration. When poor endodontic treatment was combined with adequate coronal restoration, AP prevalence was 61.8%. The prevalence of AP was low when associated with high technical quality of root canal treatment. Poor coronal restoration increased the risk of AP even when endodontic treatment was adequate (OR=2.80; 95%CI=1.87-4.22). The presence of intracanal posts had no influence on AP prevalence.

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