Endodontic treatment completion following emergency pulpectomy.
OBJECTIVE
Emergency pulpectomy is frequently performed to relieve pain experienced by patients following acute episodes of endodontic pain, or to limit the risks of infection or possible root resorption following traumatic pulpal exposures. The aim of this study was to examine subsequent patient attendance for completion of root canal treatment following pulpectomy procedures in a dental emergency unit.


METHODS
The treatment records of 574 patients who had each received an emergency pulpectomy at the Casualty Clinic of the University Dental School and Hospital, Cork, Ireland were reviewed. The influence of age, gender, etiology, tooth type, and month in which the pulpectomy was performed on subsequent completion of endodontic treatment was examined.


RESULTS
Of 574 patients, 39% (n = 224) returned to have endodontic treatment completed, 11% (n = 63) returned to have the tooth extracted, and 50% (n = 287) did not return for completion of the endodontic treatment. Cases were monitored up to five years following pulpectomy. Using a multinomial regression model, tooth type, etiology, and month in which the treatment was performed were found to be statistically significant predictors (p < 0.05) of endodontic treatment completion in the Cork University Dental School and Hospital.


CONCLUSIONS
Proper patient selection and pre-treatment counseling are important considerations when planning emergency pulpectomies to avoid inappropriate use of resources and manpower.
Lynch
C D
CD
Cardiff University School of Dentistry, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XY, UK. LynchCD@cardiff.ac.uk
Burke
F M
FM
Ní Ríordáin
R
R
Hannigan
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003789:Dental Pulp Exposure / Q000150:complications; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000150:complications; D011670:Pulpectomy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011671:Pulpitis / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014098:Toothache / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult