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

AimThe 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.MethodologyA 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionsThe 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