Technical quality of root canal treatment in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the current technical quality of root canal treatment (RCT) in Taiwan.


METHODS
A total of 1085 RCT cases, randomly selected from a large sample and representative of the Taiwanese population from April to September 2000, were evaluated by eight endodontic specialists. The qualitative evaluation of RCT cases was based on two variables: length of the root filling and density of the obturation. A root canal with both adequate filling length (the apical termination of the root filling within 2 mm of the radiographic apex) and complete obturation (no lateral or apical canal lumen visible in the apical one-third of the root canal) was defined as having good-quality endodontic work (GQEW). A tooth was defined as having a GQEW when all its canals were categorized as GQEW.


RESULTS
From a total of 1867 root canals, overfilling occurred in 235 (12.6%), adequate filling length in 1152 (61.7%), underfilling in 466 (25.0%) and no filling in 12 (0.6%). Of the 1867 root canals, 710 (38.0%) demonstrated complete obturation and 1157 (62%) demonstrated incomplete obturation. GQEW was found in 650 (34.8%) root canals and 329 (30.3%) teeth. The percentage of teeth with GQEW in hospital cases (38.1%) was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that in private clinic cases (24.3%). In addition, the frequency of teeth with GQEW in the anterior teeth (40.4%) or in the premolars (33%) was significantly greater (P < 0.001) than that in the molars (18.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Approximately 70% of the teeth receiving RCT in Taiwan were either of inadequate filling length or sealing density.
Chueh
L-H
LH
Elite Dental Clinic, Shin Kong Wu Ho Su Memorial Hospital, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chen
S-C
SC
Lee
C-M
CM
Hsu
Y-Y
YY
Pai
S-F
SF
Kuo
M-L
ML
Chen
C-S
CS
Duh
B-R
BR
Yang
S-F
SF
Tung
Y-L
YL
Hsiao
Chuhsing Kate
CK
D001641:Bicuspid / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003481:Cuspid / Q000473:pathology; D003740:Dental Clinics / Q000592:standards; D003796:Dental Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000473:pathology; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D015588:Observer Variation; D011331:Private Practice / Q000592:standards; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000592:standards; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000592:standards; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D013624:Taiwan
D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials