Association between teeth requiring endodontic therapy and presence of periapical lesion-a retrospective analysis

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to find an association between the teeth requiring endodontic management and changes in the periapical tissues of involved teeth with confounding factors like systemic illness and socio-demographic factors like age and gender. Materials and Methods: The current study is a retrospective analysis. Data from 86,000 patient records were sieved. Pre-op radiographs of mandibular first molars that were endodontically treated were evaluated to assess the presence of radiological changes in the periapical region. The entered data was tabulated and analysed through SPSS. Frequency distribution tables were made and Chi square test with a level of significance of <0.05 was performed to establish a correlation between the tooth requiring multi-visit root canal therapy and periapical radiolucency, age, gender, and status of systemic health of the patient. Results: A total of 829 samples were included. A statistical significance is found in the development of periapical radiolucencies in patients with systemic disease. No correlation between age, gender and tooth is found with the presence of periapical changes. Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study,the association of the presence of periapical lesion with endodontic therapy is not significant in mandibular molars. It can be concluded that systemic health of the patient has an effect on the changes in the periapical regions. Systemic health needs consideration in the formulation of a better protocol to ensure success rates of endodontic therapy.