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Technical quality of root canal treatment in Taiwan
Author(s) -
Chueh L.H.,
Chen S.C.,
Lee C.M.,
Hsu Y.Y.,
Pai S.F.,
Kuo M.L.,
Chen C.S.,
Duh B.R.,
Yang S.F.,
Tung Y.L.,
Hsiao C. K.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
international endodontic journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.988
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1365-2591
pISSN - 0143-2885
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2003.00672.x
Subject(s) - root canal , dentistry , medicine , molar , randomized controlled trial , population , orthodontics , surgery , environmental health
Aim To evaluate the current technical quality of root canal treatment (RCT) in Taiwan. Methodology A total of 1085 RCT cases, randomly selected from a large sample and representative of the Taiwanese population from April to September 2000, were evaluated by eight endodontic specialists. The qualitative evaluation of RCT cases was based on two variables: length of the root filling and density of the obturation. A root canal with both adequate filling length (the apical termination of the root filling within 2 mm of the radiographic apex) and complete obturation (no lateral or apical canal lumen visible in the apical one‐third of the root canal) was defined as having good‐quality endodontic work (GQEW). A tooth was defined as having a GQEW when all its canals were categorized as GQEW. Results From a total of 1867 root canals, overfilling occurred in 235 (12.6%), adequate filling length in 1152 (61.7%), underfilling in 466 (25.0%) and no filling in 12 (0.6%). Of the 1867 root canals, 710 (38.0%) demonstrated complete obturation and 1157 (62%) demonstrated incomplete obturation. GQEW was found in 650 (34.8%) root canals and 329 (30.3%) teeth. The percentage of teeth with GQEW in hospital cases (38.1%) was significantly greater ( P < 0.001) than that in private clinic cases (24.3%). In addition, the frequency of teeth with GQEW in the anterior teeth (40.4%) or in the premolars (33%) was significantly greater ( P < 0.001) than that in the molars (18.4%). Conclusions Approximately 70% of the teeth receiving RCT in Taiwan were either of inadequate filling length or sealing density.