title: Prevalence of inter-appointment endodontic flare-ups and host-related factors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study were to report the prevalence of inter-appointment flare-ups following adequate root canal disinfection and to investigate the host factors contributing to its occurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  One thousand five hundred patient records were reviewed and the prevalence of flare-up was recorded. Patients' root canal space status (vital, non-vital or retreatment), medical condition and demographics (age, gender, tooth type and position) were recorded from their dental records. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the impact of the recorded factors on flare-up occurrence.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine hundred fifty-one patient records met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of flare-up was 2.3 %. There was a correlation between the canal space status and patient's age with flare-up development (P < 0.05). There was no association between flare-up occurrence and tooth type, location, gender or medical condition (P > 0.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The root canal space status was the primary factor affecting flare-up occurrence. Patients >50 years had the highest risk in developing flare-ups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This article provides evidence that patients suffering from inflamed pulp will not develop flare-up if adequate cleaning and shaping of the root canal space was performed. It also shows that patients above the age of 50 are a high-risk group that is prone to flare-up development.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Specialty Program in Endodontics, Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, College of Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University at Buffalo, 240 Squire Hall, Buffalo, NY, USA. azim@buffalo.edu.
authors.forename: Adham A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Azim
authors.affiliation: Department of Counseling, Educational Psychology, and Research, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN, USA.
authors.forename: Katharina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Azim
authors.affiliation: Professor and Program Director, Department of Endodontics School of Dentistry, University of Western Australia Perth, Crawley, WA, Australia.
authors.forename: Paul V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Abbott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D019233:Retreatment; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012390:Root Canal Therapy
keywords: Emergency; Flare-up; Inter-appointment visits; Pain; Swelling