Clinical and radiographic assessment of post-treatment endodontic disease by primary healthcare professionals: A hospital-based 1-year follow-up

BACKGROUND: The comprehensive healthcare approach including prophylactic guidance and motivation by the primary healthcare professionals towards oral and maxillofacial diseases such as post-treatment endodontic disease (PTED) plays a significant role in diagnosing and managing the condition. Especially in the developing countries like India where the hygiene practices are severely compromised, the primary healthcare professional plays an upfront role. OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted to assess the clinical and radiographic characteristics of PTED by primary healthcare professional. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted in a dental hospital in Kutch, Gujarat, India. In the present study, out of a total of 755, 96 patients were diagnosed with PTED, met the inclusion criteria, and were enrolled for the study. After performing intraoral and extraoral examination, intraoral periapical radiographs were taken of the concerned teeth. Under dark room conditions, radiographs were examined using dentsply light box and magnifying glass by healthcare professionals. RESULTS: Out of 755 patients, 96 (12.71%) patients were enrolled in the study with 98 concerned teeth. The most common teeth diagnosed with PTED were maxillary molars with 25.51% (21) individuals. Well-defined radiolucent lesions were seen in 62.24% (61) individuals. Voids in both coronal and apical region were seen in majority (38.77%) of patients. The length of root-end fillings with respect to the radiographic apex was satisfactory in 44.89% (44) individuals. The present study showed strong correlation between sinus formation and presence of periapical lesion with P value of 0.0219*. CONCLUSION: The proper guidance and preventive care by primary healthcare professionals leads to the relatively less prevalence of post-treatment endodontic disease in Indian population. The present study further suggests the higher substandard quality of root-end fillings of endodontically treated teeth.