Periapical status and quality of root fillings in a selected adult Riga population.

AIM The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of apical periodontitis and quality of root canal fillings in an adult Riga subpopulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Panoramic radiographs of Latvian adults 35-44 year old attending a private dental clinic for the first time during the period of 2004-2008 were included in the study. Totally, 312 out of 1248 panoramic radiographs were randomly selected and examined for periapical conditions and endodontic treatment quality. The technical quality of root fillings was evaluated in terms of length in relation to the root apex and lateral adaptation to the canal wall. The periapical status was assessed using the PAI index. The data were analyzed using SPSS 14 computer software program. Statistical significance was assessed by the chi-squared (Pearson's) test. RESULTS Out of the 312 individuals examined 224 (72%) had one or more teeth with apical periodontitis (PAI 3-5) and 272 individuals (87%) had one or more endodontically treated teeth. Amongst 7065 teeth evaluated 1255 (18%) were endodontically treated. Only 285 teeth (23%) of the root canal treated teeth were with complete root canal fillings. There was a statistically significant relationship between quality of root canal fillings and apical periodontitis (p<0.0001). In teeth with complete fillings only 15% were with apical periodontitis, but apical periodontitis were detected in 342 teeth (35%) with incomplete root fillings. CONCLUSION The results from this study indicates a high prevalence of apical periodontitis and low quality of root fillings in a selected adult Riga population.