The effect of human immunodeficiency virus on endodontic treatment outcome

The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare periradicular healing between HIV positive and negative patients 1 yr after endodontic treatment of necrotic teeth with chronic apical periodontitis. The preoperative radiographs of 33 patients diagnosed with HIV and 33 medically healthy patients were scored by three endodontists using the Periapical Index (PAI) Scoring Method. Follow-up radiographs were taken 12 months after endodontic treatment and also scored with the PAI. The degree of healing, as determined by the mean PAI change, was compared between the two groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the two with respect to the degree of periradicular healing. In addition, the three evaluators were found to have very high inter-examiner agreement. The results indicate that clinicians do not have to alter their expectations for healing and resolution of periradicular lesions based solely on the HIV status of their patients.