Epidemiologic Characteristics of Periapical Lesions in Biopsy Samples, Mazandaran, Iran 2012-2017

Background and purpose: Periapical diseases are the result of untreated pulpitis or inadequate treatment of root canals. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of different periapical lesions according to demographic variables in patients attending the departments of oral pathology in Mazandaran province, Iran 2012 to 2017. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 233 biopsy samples were studied. The age and sex of the patients and the location and type of periapical lesions were investigated. Data analysis was done in SPSS V24 applying Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, ANOVA, and Tukey test. Results: Biopsies belonged to both males, n=118 (50.6%) and females, n=115 (49.4%). The mean age of the patients was 37.8 years (12 to 84 years old). In this study, 152 (65.2%) lesions were radicular cysts, 50 (21.5%) were dental granulomas, 7 (3%) were osteomyelitis, 22 (9.4%) were residual cysts, and 2 (0.9%) were lateral cysts. The most common sites of involvement were the posterior region of the mandible (48.8%) and the anterior region of the maxilla (24.2%).  Conclusion: Periapical lesions in teeth are highly prevalent, so it is important to increase people awareness on oral hygiene and prevent these lesions.