Periapical Status and Quality of Root Canal Fillings in a Moroccan Subpopulation

AIM: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and quality of root canal fillings in an adult Moroccan subpopulation. METHODS: In the study 508 patients were included, attending the Conservative Dentistry Clinic at the Faculty of Dentistry of Casablanca. 508 panoramic and 709 periapical radiographs were observed. The periapical status of all teeth (with the exception of third molars) was examined according to Ørstavik's periapical index. The statistical analysis was performed with the software Epi Info Version 6.04dfr, April 2001. RESULTS: A total of 12719 teeth were examined. 45.3% of patients had apical periodontitis. 4.2% of teeth were treated endodontically and 70.4% of these treatments were inadequate. 91,5% with inadequate endodontic treatment presented apical periodontitis, while only 8,2% with adequate endodontic treatment had apical periodontitis. The lower molars and the upper premolars were the most affected teeth. The presence of apical periodontitis was correlated significantly with insufficient root canal fillings (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study found a high prevalence of apical periodontitis in this Moroccan population. Inadequate root canal fillings were associated with an increased prevalence of apical periodontitis.