title: Evaluation of technical quality and periapical health of root-filled teeth by using cone-beam CT.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the quality of root fillings, coronal restorations, complications of all root-filled teeth and their association with apical periodontitis (AP) detected by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images from an adult Turkish subpopulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample for this study consisted of 242 patients (aging from 15 to 72 years) with 522 endodontically treated teeth that were assessed for technical quality of the root canal filling and periapical status of the teeth. Additionally, the apical status of each root-filled tooth was assessed according to the gender, dental arch, tooth type and age classification, undetected canals, instrument fracture, root fracture, apical resorption, apical lesion, furcation lesion and type and quality of the coronal structure. Statistical analysis was performed using percentages and chi-square test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success rate of the root canal treatment was of 54.4%. The success rates of adequate and inadequate root canal treatment were not significantly different (p>0.05). Apical periodontitis was found in 228 (45.6%) teeth treated for root canals. Higher prevalence of AP was found in patients aging from 20 to 29 years [64 (27%) teeth] and in anterior (canines and incisors) teeth [97 (41%) teeth].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technical quality of root canal filling performed by dental practitioners in a Turkish subpopulation was consistent with a high prevalence of AP. The probable reasons for this failure are multifactorial, and there may be a need for improved undergraduate education and postgraduate courses to improve the clinical skills of dental practitioners in endodontics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Şifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Bilge Gülsüm
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Nur
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Şifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Evren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ok
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Şifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Altunsoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Şifa University, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Osman Sami
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Ağlarci
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Çolak
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Enes
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Güngör
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010485:Periapical Periodontitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials