title: Prevalence of apical periodontitis and endodontic treatment in a Kosovar adult population.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite numerous studies on the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment in diverse geographical populations, there are currently no data on the prevalence of these conditions in populations of adults native to Kosovo. Therefore, little is known about how widespread these conditions are, and whether there is any correlation between root canal treatment and AP. The purpose of our research was to address this anomaly by investigating AP and endodontic treatment in an adult Kosovar population based on radiographic examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample used for this study consisted of randomly selected individuals referred to the University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo in the years 2006-2007. Orthopantomographs of 193 patients were evaluated. The periapical status of all teeth (with the exception of third molars) was examined according to Ørstavik's Periapical Index. The quality of the root canal filling was rated as 'adequate' or 'inadequate' based on whether all canals were filled, the depth of fill relative to the radiographic apex and the quality of compaction (absence/presence of voids). Data were analyzed statistically using the Chi-square test and calculation of odds ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 4131 examined teeth, the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and endodontic treatment was 12.3% and 2.3%, respectively. Of 95 endodontically-treated teeth, 46.3% were associated with AP. The prevalence of AP increased with age. The prevalence in subjects aged over 60 years old (20.2%) was higher than in other age groups. A statistically significant difference was found for the frequency of endodontically-treated teeth associated with AP in the 40-49 year age group (P < 0.001). Of some concern was the discovery that only 30.5% of the endodontically-treated teeth examined met the criteria of an acceptable root canal filling. Inadequately root-filled teeth were associated with an increased AP risk.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of AP and the frequency of endodontically-treated teeth with AP in this Kosovar population are higher than those found in other countries. Inadequate root canal fillings were associated with an increased prevalence of AP.
authors: Department of Dental Pathology and Endodontics, University Dentistry Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
authors: Blerim
authors: B
authors: Kamberi
authors: Veton
authors: V
authors: Hoxha
authors: Miranda
authors: M
authors: Stavileci
authors: Edmond
authors: E
authors: Dragusha
authors: Astrit
authors: A
authors: Kuçi
authors: Lumnije
authors: L
authors: Kqiku
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000592:standards; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000453:epidemiology