title: Factors affecting treatment decisions and outcomes of root-resected molars: a nationwide study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of furcation-involved molars presents a clinical challenge. This study retrospectively investigates the demographic parameters affecting treatment decisions and outcomes of root-resected molars using a nationwide population-based dataset.
  
  
  METHODS
  De-identified data from 471 eligible patients were obtained from a representative cohort composed of 1 million of Taiwan's population. Demographic factors that influence treatment decisions and outcomes of root-resected teeth were examined. Cox regression was performed to statistically analyze the factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall survival rate for root-resected molars was 91.1%. The survival times of the extracted and surviving teeth were 303.0 ± 274.6 and 551.8 ± 327.2 days, respectively (P <0.001). The analyzed patient-related factors, such as living district, urbanization level, medical institution, and monthly income, have remarkable influence on treatment decisions; however, there is no statistically significant difference in survival rate between root-resected molars receiving flap surgery and those that do not (P = 0.504). After adjusting for other factors, patients aged >74 years have 3.33 times (hazard ratio = 3.33; 95% CI = 1.04 to 10.66; P = 0.043) higher rates of molar extraction than younger counterparts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall survival rate of root-resected molars was satisfactory. Patients with advanced age (>74 years) had a higher risk of extraction occurrence on resected molars. Patient-related factors may influence the treatment decision of whether molars receive flap surgery. These findings suggest that demographic factors should be carefully evaluated before and after performing root-resection procedures because these factors may eventually impact the outcome of root-resected molars.
authors: Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Tri-Service General Hospital and National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors: Da-Yo
authors: DY
authors: Yuh
authors: Guo-Liang
authors: GL
authors: Cheng
authors: Wu-Chien
authors: WC
authors: Chien
authors: Chi-Hsiang
authors: CH
authors: Chung
authors: Fu-Gong
authors: FG
authors: Lin
authors: Yi-Shing
authors: YS
authors: Shieh
authors: Wen-Hui
authors: WH
authors: Fang
authors: Lian-Ping
authors: LP
authors: Mau
authors: Earl
authors: E
authors: Fu
authors: Ren-Yeong
authors: RY
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017823:Furcation Defects / Q000601:surgery*; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008963:Molar / Q000601:surgery*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000601:surgery; D015996:Survival Rate; D013624:Taiwan; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014507:Urbanization