Endodontic treatments on permanent teeth in pediatric patients aged 6-12 years old

The prevalence of carious lesions and traumatic injury in individuals between ages 6 and 12 is high. This study aimed to characterize pediatric patients aged 6-12 treated in the endodontic clinic and investigate the prevalence and patterns of their provided endodontic treatments.

Clinical and radiographic records of patients (ages 6-12) referred to the postgraduate Endodontics clinic from June 2017 to June 2020 were reviewed. Demographics, pre-and post-operative conditions, type of endodontic treatment, and behavioral management were collected.

A total of 6350 teeth from 6089 patients were treated in this period, and 425 teeth (6.7%) from 405 patients were included. Ages 9-11 were the most commonly treated age group. Significantly more lower molars (41.9%) and upper anterior teeth (36.7%) were treated (P < 0.05). The majority of teeth were diagnosed with pulp necrosis (39.5%), and the most common periapical diagnosis was normal apical tissues (39.8%), then symptomatic apical periodontitis (38.8%). The most common etiological factor was caries (63.5%). Two hundred six teeth (48.5%) were treated with root canal therapy, 161 teeth (37.9%) with vital pulp therapy, 46 teeth (10.8%) with apexification or regenerative endodontic procedure, 12 teeth (2.8%) with non-surgical retreatment. A statistically high number of patients (87.8%) tolerated the endodontic procedures without any sedation (P < 0.0001).

Pediatric patients aged 6-12 compose around 7% of the population treated at the postgraduate Endodontics clinic, reflecting the high demand for endodontic treatment in a pediatric mixed dentition population.