A comparison of oral health-related quality of life and satisfaction among patients undergoing root canal treatment or tooth extraction – A prospective controlled cohort study

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of root canal treatment on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) in general dental practice and compare it with tooth extraction. Additionally, patient satisfaction following tooth-preserving treatment was assessed. Material and methods: In all, 65 patients were recruited from 6 general dental clinics in Västra Götaland over 8 weeks, with 37 starting root canal treatment and 28 having extractions. Questionnaires, including Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and 9 questions assessing patient satisfaction, were administered at treatment initiation, and at 1, 6, and 12 months. The responses from both modalities were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods. Results: The response rate ranged from 73.8% to 92.3%. Regarding OHRQoL, differences between the groups were few compared to baseline. However, significant improvements were observed in the extraction group at the 6-and 12-month follow-ups, in the ‘total score’, and the dimensions ‘pain’, ‘discom-fort’, and ‘handicap’. Patient satisfaction was generally high, with cost being the least satisfactory item. Pain intensity remained consistently low. Conclusions: In this prospective cohort study few differences were found between the two treatment modalities. However, significant improvements were observed in the extraction group in several dimen-sions. The patient satisfaction regarding root canal treatment was considered high.