Qualitative Analysis of Root Canal Treatments performed by Undergraduate Students: A Retrospective Study

ABSTRACT Objective: Toanalyze the technical quality of endodontic treatment carried out at the undergraduate dental clinics. Material and Methods: Random radiographic records of 92 patients' were selected who received endodontic treatment by the undergraduate students from June 2018 to July 2019. The quality of root canal filling was determined in relation to the adequate density, length, and taper. Statistical analysis was performed by using GraphPad (Prism 5), and to determine the association between different variables Chi-square test was used. Results: Adequate technical quality of canal obturation conducted by the undergraduate students was found in less than 65% of the cases. The frequency of adequate root canal taper was significantly greater in maxillary teeth (75%) as compared to mandibular teeth (33%); however, adequacy of acceptable density was found more in maxillary teeth (62%) as compared to mandibular teeth (55%).A statistically significant difference was seen in the quality of root canal fillings between anterior and posterior teeth (p=0.001). Conclusion: The root canal therapy performed by undergraduate students was less than optimum in terms of technical quality. Hence, it is suggested that the endodontic training courses delivered at pre-clinical and clinical levelsfor undergraduate students must be thoroughly revised.

Frequency of procedural errors in rotary vs conventional root canal treated teeth

The contemporary approach to root canal treatment has been shifting towards engine driven filing procedures in the last decade. However, although conventional root canal procedures are slowly being phased out, it still represents the primary mode of root canal therapy in the vast majority of the developing world. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to evaluate the frequency of procedural errors in root canal treated teeth with rotary and conventional filing systems. Three hundred and forty six root canal treatment cases were assessed, out of which 173 were prepared using conventional file system and 173 were prepared using ProTaper universal [Dentsply] rotary system. Teeth in each group were evaluated radiographically using DIGORA optime software for presence or absence of procedural errors [i.e. overfills, underfills, ledge formation, perforations, apical transportation and I or instrument separation]. Out of the 173 conventionally treated teeth 57 [32.9%] had a procedural error. While, out of 173 cases prepared using ProTaper universal rotary system, 50 [28.9%] had procedural errors. The most common errors in both groups, by far, was overfill [22.5% in conventional and 16.2% in rotary]. Chi square test showed P value > 0.05 [0.416] which shows an insignificant relationship between the system used and the frequency of errors. There was little difference between the overall incidences of procedural errors in either system, however, there was a difference in the type of error produced. It is concluded that although rotary systems are not as easy to use as previously believed