THE PREVALENCE AND TECHNICAL QUALITY OF ENDODONTIC TREATMENT IN AN AMERICAN SUBPOPULATION

Few data have been collected regarding the prevalence and quality of r oot canal therapy in American populations. European studies of various populations were used as a model for the evaluation of the prevalence and technical standard of endodontic treatment in a patient group see n for screening at a United States dental school. Full-mouth radiograp hic series were examined for the presence of root fillings, periapical pathologic conditions, and coronal restorative status. The obturation density and length were also recorded. Of 5272 teeth examined, 5.5% h ad root fillings. Periapical disease was evident in 4.1% of ail teeth and 31.3% of root-filled teeth. Lesser-quality root fillings were more strongly associated with periapical disease than were higher-quality obturations. In addition, only 42% of the obturations could be conside red technically satisfactory. Such data suggests that more research mu st be directed toward the study of factors that affect treatment outco me.