Radiographic quality of root canal fillings performed in a postgraduate program in endodontics.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the standard quality of 1,347 root fillings performed by postgraduate students in Endodontics according to 3 radiographic quality parameters. The analyzed quality parameters included apical extension (AE), taper (TA) and homogeneity (HO), which received scores S2 (ideal standard), S1 (slight deviation) or S0 (accentuated deviation). A perfect filling (PF) received S2 for all parameters. In the absence of one or two S2 score, the fillings were deemed as satisfactory (SF) or deficient (DF), respectively. The results showed 51.7%, 41.5% and 6.8% of PF, SF, and DF, respectively. AE, TA, and HO presented equivalent quality parameters in root-filled canals of mandibular incisors and mandibular premolars (p>0.05). Conversely, in maxillary incisors, canines and distal root of mandibular molars, significant differences (p<0.05) were found between 2 parameters. Besides, there were significant differences (p<0.05) among the measured parameters in root-filled canals of maxillary premolars, all root canals of the maxillary molars and mesial root of the mandibular molars. AE showed the lowest frequency of S2 score for all groups. In conclusion the prevalence of perfect, satisfactory and deficient fillings varied significantly according to the root canal group. The quality parameters categorized fillings in 3 complexity degrees. AE was the most critical parameter of quality in root canal fillings.
Dental School, Federal University of Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, MG, Brazil.
Suelleng Maria Cunha
SM
Santos
Janir Alves
JA
Soares
Carlos Augusto Santos
CA
César
Manoel
M
Brito-Júnior
Allyson Nogueira
AN
Moreira
Cláudia Silami de
CS
Magalhães
D001938:Brazil; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004498:Education, Dental, Continuing; D004708:Endodontics / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000592:standards*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000706:statistics & numerical data