title: Periapical status in subjects with regular dental care habits.
abstract: This study covered 250 subjects aged 21-60 yr subdivided into four age groups. Oral hygiene status and dental care habits were above average and the number of teeth remaining was high in all age groups (range 24.1-27.3). All subjects were radiographically examined by means of an intraoral full mouth survey. From the radiographs periapical lesions and root fillings were recorded. A total of 117 subjects (46.8%) presented with one or more periapical lesions distributed between 294 roots (2.9%) or 229 teeth (3.5%). Two-thirds of the periapical lesions were related to endodontically treated roots. Of all endodontically treated roots 28.8% were associated with a periapical lesion. Irrespective of the relative length 17.2% of the homogeneous and 37.9% of the inhomogeneous root fillings were associated with a periapical lesion. It is concluded that periapical lesions although rare in these subjects were most frequent in root filled teeth.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003729:Dental Care; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010483:Periapical Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects