Periapical status of root-filled teeth in Norwegian children and adolescents

Objective. To study the periapical status of root-filled permanent teeth of 9-17-year-olds in More & Romsdal county, Norway. Materials and methods. All permanent teeth with endodontic treatment in patients born in 1994-2001 were identified in the dental records of the Public Dental Service. The data collected consisted of chart entries and radiographs. Of 1182 teeth, 174 teeth in 155 patients met further inclusion criteria, i.e. completed endodontic treatment and a follow-up with a readable radiograph of at least 1 year. Periapical status was assessed with the Periapical Index (PAI) and the technical quality of the root fillings was also quantified on a 4-grade visual scale. Results. Apical periodontitis was found on follow-up radiographs in 25% of all teeth and in 48% of the teeth with pre-operative apical periodontitis. Forty-two per cent of root fillings were of adequate technical quality. Adequate technical quality of the root filling was significantly correlated with radiographic success. Conclusions. About one fourth of all root-filled teeth and almost half of the teeth with pre-operative apical periodontitis showed clear signs of the disease at recall.