Periapical status and technical quality in root canal filled teeth in a cross sectional study in Jönköping, Sweden.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the quality of root canal fillings and frequency of apical periodontitis (AP) in root canal filled teeth in a Swedish population.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study used data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2013. The root canal filling quality and periapical status were assessed in 491 root canal filled teeth in 196 individuals aged 20-70 years, randomly selected from the population of Jönköping, Sweden. All root canal filled teeth were examined with periapical radiographs. Three calibrated observers recorded length and density in root canal fillings as well as periapical status according to the Periapical Index. A root filling ending within 0.5-2 mm from the radiographic apex without lateral or apical voids was considered adequate. Data were analyzed in a generalized estimating equation (GEE) model with AP as dependent variable and gender, age, number of teeth, number of root filled teeth, tooth type, and root filling quality as independent variables.

RESULTS: Teeth with technically inadequate root fillings were associated with AP in a simple GEE-analysis. In the multiple GEE-model, the association between technical quality and apical peridontitis was nonsignificant when controlling for tooth type and gender.

CONCLUSIONS: The quality of root canal fillings is poor and the prevalence of AP in root canal filled teeth is high, particularly in molar teeth, in a Swedish population.