RISK OF ENDODONTIC TREATMENT AFTER INSERTION OF CONICAL CROWN RETAINED DENTURES - A LONGITUDINAL-STUDY

A longitudinal study was performed to assess the frequency of endodont ic treatment after incorporation of conical crown retained dentures. T he study population consisted of all patients being treated with conic al crowns at the Academy of Advanced Dental Studies Karlsruhe during t he years 1983-1989. The material comprised 655 patients with 1983 vita l abutment teeth. The cases were included in a computer based document ation system for recording clinical relevant events. Event analysis by use of the Kaplan-Meier method revealed, that the probability of not being involved in endodontic treatment decreased to 0.67 within an obs ervation period of five years. Patients in the oldest age-group (above 65 years) showed a significantly higher risk of endodontic complicati ons than younger patients. Molars exhibited a less pronounced risk tha n premolars and anterior teeth. The results confirmed the necessity of regular follow-up examinations after prosthetic procedures.