Radiographic Assessment of the Quality of Root Canal Treatments Performed by Practitioners with Different Levels of Experience

Abstract

This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted to radiographically evaluate the quality of root canal treatment (RCT) performed by practitioners with different levels of experience at the Arar Dental Center, North Region, Saudi Arabia. A total of 170 periapical radiographs of root canal fillings (RCFs) were used to assess the technical quality of 376 root canal performed by the practitioners at Arar Dental Center. The length of each RCF was categorized as acceptable, overfilled, and underfilled on the basis of their relationship to the radiographic apex and surrounding structures. The density and taper of the fillings were evaluated on the basis of the presence of voids and the uniform tapering of the fillings, respectively. Root canal obturation (RCOs) was compared between practitioners. Chi-square analysis was then conducted to determine significant differences between RCF length, density and tapering in different areas of dental arches, different canal positions, and different levels of practitioner experience. Of the total number of canals, 202 (53.7%) were found in males, and 219 (58.2%) were in the maxillary arch. A total of (267; 71%) of the RCFs were located in the posterior reign. All of the parameters of the RCFs significantly differed among various areas of dental arches, canal locations, and practitioners with different levels of experience (P < 0.001) except the RCO density between different arches (P = 0.137). The technical quality of RCFs performed at the Arar Dental Center was acceptable in 63% of all cases. The length of RCFs was acceptable in the majority of cases performed by consultants and specialists, but this parameter was acceptable only in 46.4% cases carried out by general dental practitioners (GDPs). The underfilling rates reported by GDPs (43.6%) were higher than those presented by consultants (13%) and specialists (18.8%). Almost all of the cases were acceptable in terms of density and tapering among all of the practitioners. The poor density and tapering qualities of RCFs were respectively found in 24.2% and 22.3% of the cases performed by GDPs. Evaluating the quality of RCTs delivered by practitioners in any dental service center offers vital information for health service authorities. This evaluation helps improve the trend in RCT services provided by endodontists with the aid of additional new endodontic equipment and materials. This study provides insights into relevant services in terms of the standards of care in endodontic treatment.

Radiographic Assessment of the Quality of Post & Core Restorations Performed by Dental Students at Qassim University Dental Clinics

“…Results of post and core restorations in the prosthetic treatment plan depend upon the proper diagnosis and treatment planning and each phase of that plan to be delivered perfectly. Hence, the assessment must be performed as follows as before post insertion, checking of root canal treatment (RCT) system seal, after cementation, during follow-up after teeth exposed to masticatory loading forces, and monitoring during maintenance recall to evaluate the treatment method 3,4 . Typically, a correlation exists between preclinical performance on phantom lab on a typhodont and clinical performance on patients which is relevant to the preparation of post and core restorations by dental students 5 .…”

Porosity Distribution in Single Cone Root Canal Fillings Performed by Operators with Different Clinical Experience: A microCT Assessment

“…However, when the endodontic treatment procedures are performed by the differently skilled clinicians, the quality of the endodontic treatment differs significantly [22,23]. Bajawi et al (2018) have found that the quality of root-canal obturation performed by ED was significantly better in comparison to general dental practitioners (GDP) [24]. The same was observed by other investigators, demonstrating better clinical outcomes when endodontic treatment was performed by ED in comparison to GDP [25,26].…”