Frequency and distribution of endodontically treated teeth

Area of Science:

• Dentistry
• Endodontics
• Dental Public Health

Background:

• Dental caries remains a significant global oral health issue.
• Endodontic treatment is often necessary to preserve teeth affected by deep caries.
• Understanding the patterns of carious involvement is crucial for targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and distribution of carious lesions in permanent teeth requiring endodontic therapy.
• To identify the etiological factors and specific tooth surfaces most commonly associated with endodontic treatment needs.
• To analyze demographic and dental factors influencing the pattern of endodontic treatment.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study was conducted at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
• Data was collected from dental records of 190 patients (235 teeth) between September 2004 and March 2005.
• Statistical analysis included chi-square and Fischer's exact tests to evaluate associations between variables such as tooth type, etiology, and cavity classification.

Main Results:

• Caries was identified as the predominant etiological factor for endodontic treatment (p = 0.011).
• Class-II cavities, specifically on proximal tooth surfaces, were most frequently involved (p < 0.001).
• Molars were the most commonly endodontically treated teeth, followed by premolars and anterior teeth. Females showed a higher incidence of endodontically treated teeth.

Conclusions:

• Dental caries is the leading cause of endodontic treatment, with Class-II proximal caries being particularly prevalent.
• Lower molars are the most commonly affected teeth requiring endodontic intervention, while lower anterior teeth are least affected.
• Significant associations exist between the etiology of endodontic treatment, tooth type, and cavity classification.