Frequency and quality of root canal fillings in an adult Serbian population.

Introduction: Estimation of frequency and quality of root canal fillings is the way to evaluate endodontic treatment needs and success/failure rates of performed endodontic procedures.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and quality of root canal fillings and the frequency of apical periodontitis on endodontically treated teeth in a group of adult patients from Serbia.

Methods: In order to analyze the presence and quality of root canal fillings and the frequency of periapical radiolucencies on endodontically treated teeth, 3526 teeth were examined on orthopantomograms of 153 adult patients.

Results: Overall, 12.5% of examined teeth were root filled, and 51.8% of them had radiographic signs of apical periodontitis. The analysis of root fillings quality revealed the presence of more inadequate ones (55.9%). The frequency of apical periodontitis was significantly higher in teeth with inadequate than in those having adequate root canal obturation (72.2% and 25.9%, respectively).

Conclusion: The frequency of apical periodontitis on root-filled teeth in this group of patients was high, indicating a low success rate of performed endodotic procedures and high endodontic retreatment needs.