Prevalence of apical periodontitis and quality of endodontic treatment in an Italian adult population.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of AP in relation to the quality of endodontic treatment in an Italian adult population. METHODS We examined panoramic radiographs (OPG) of 384 patients aged between 18 and 60 years who came under observation for a first dental examination. Two experienced examiners assessed the radiographs according to standardized criteria by examining the following parameters: periapical status, quality of endodontic treatment, quality of root canal filling and quality of coronal restoration. RESULTS 9423 teeth were analyzed. By examining the radiographs 1076 teeth had undergone previous endodontic treatment, of these 448 (41.6%) had AP. Statistical analysis shows a significant association between periapical status and quality of endodontic treatment (p <0.001), between periapical status and quality of root canal filling (p <0.001) and between periapical status and quality of coronal restoration (p <0.001). CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of AP was found to be closely related to the quality of endodontic treatment, quality of root canal filling and coronal restoration.