Elective full pulpotomy in mature permanent teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis: a two years retrospective study.

AIM: To investigate the outcome of elective full pulpotomy, using calcium silicate-based cements (CSBC), after 2 years, in symptomatic mature permanent teeth with carious lesions, diagnosed as irreversible pulpitis, and analyse the capacity of Wolters et al. (2017) classification to predict the likelihood of treatment failure. METHODS: The treatment records of 56 patients with symptomatic mature teeth with carious lesions, diagnosed as irreversible pulpitis and treated by elective full pulpotomy, using CSBCs as pulp capping materials, were reviewed. Thirteen teeth were excluded. The remaining 43 teeth were evaluated retrospectively at 24 months. Fisher`s exact test with the Lancaster's mid-P adjustment was used to assess different outcomes amongst the diagnostic categories. RESULTS: Four of the cases failed before 24 months and required root canal treatment (RCT). Overall success rate at 2 years was 90.7% (39 of 43). An inverse, but non-significant, correlation was observed between the severity of pulpitis according to the Wolters classification and the treatment success rate (p > 0.05). The type of CSBC used was associated to the success rate (OR = 10.5; 95% C.I. = 0.5 - 207.4; p = 0.027), being 82% with Endosequence and 100% with Biodentine. Postoperative pain associated significantly to lower success rate (66.7%) (Odds ratio = 8.0; 95% C.I. = 0.7 - 95.9; p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Elective full pulpotomy using a CSBC was a successful choice for the treatment of mature permanent teeth with symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis. There were no significant differences between the success rate of mild, moderate and severe pulpitis. Postoperative pain could be considered a risk marker for failure of full pulpotomy. The term "irreversible pulpitis" should be re-signified to indicate the need for access to the pulp chamber, rather than an indication for extraction or RCT.

Increase Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 in apical periodontitis of rats with chronic liver disease.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of liver fibrosis (LF) on the expression of Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 and 4 in apical periodontitis (AP) in Wistar rats. Forty Wistar rats were allocated in the following groups (n = 10): C-control; AP-apical periodontitis; LF-liver fibrosis; AP + LF-rats with AP and LF. LF and AP were induced by established methodologies. Histological, bacteriological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed according to pre-established scores. For comparisons between AP and AP + LF groups, the Mann-Whitney test was used (P < .05). The livers of the LF and AP + LF groups showed generalized portal inflammatory infiltrate and collagen fibers confirming the presence of LF. Histopathological analysis in the maxilla of the AP + LF group showed areas of necrosis comprising the entire dental pulp and periapical tissue surrounded by a more intense inflammatory infiltrate than observed in the AP group (P = 0.032). A significant number of specimens in the AP + LF group showed microorganisms beyond the apical foramen adhered to the extraradicular biofilm, demonstrating greater invasion compared to the AP group (P = .008). Immunohistochemical analysis showed a large number of cells immunoreactive for TLR2 and TLR4 in the AP + LF group, compared to the AP group (P < 0.05). Liver fibrosis favors the inflammation and contamination of microorganisms in apical periodontitis and triggers the expression of TLR2 and TLR4, modulating innate immunity response in periapical lesions.

Barodontalgia and its implications for Navy divers and dentists: A narrative review.

Background: One of the responsibilities of Spanish Navy Dentists is to carry out dental examinations to military divers. Diving is considered an elite activity and carries a high risk of different pathologies, including barodontalgia which is an oral pain induced by atmospheric pressure changes. This study aims to conduct a narrative review on barodontalgia and its implications for divers and Navy dentists. Material and Methods: A search was carried out in Pubmed-MEDLINE, Embase and Scielo for all types of articles that explained and related barodontalgia to divers and their diving activities. Results: Barodontalgia is a rare pathology, but with a higher incidence in the military environment than in the civilian one, being more frequent in upper teeth. Its etiopathogenesis is related to how the tooth reacts to pressure changes. Depending on the time of onset and type of pain during the activity, it can be classified in different ways. The diagnosis is complicated due to the impossibility to reproduce in the dental office the conditions in which it first appeared. Conclusions: Military dentists must know about barodontalgia and its relationship with other oral pathologies, in order to avoid its appearance in military divers. Key words:Barodontalgia, navy dentists, military divers, scuba diving.

Patients' Opinions on Antibiotics in the Treatment of Dental Infections: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate patients' knowledge and perceptions of the use of systemic antibiotics in the treatment of endodontic infections and to determine the possible contribution of patients to the development of bacterial resistance. Methods: A total of 550 patients were asked to respond to a survey on the perception of systemic antibiotic use in the treatment of endodontic infections and antibiotic resistance during January 2022 and March 2023. A bivariate and multivariate analysis was performed to determine possible correlates in the population regarding antibiotic use in the endodontic world. Results: A total of 514 patients were included in the study, 65.9% of whom were women. While 34.6% of the population studied thought that it was always necessary to take antibiotics prior to endodontics, 49.4% considered that they were necessary after endodontics, regardless of the clinical symptoms. The prevalence of self-medication was 17.3%, and women self-medicate more than men, with significant differences (p < 0.05), although they have a greater knowledge of antibiotic resistance than men (p < 0.05). Forty-four percent of the population expected to take antibiotics when faced with dental pain, mainly women (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The general population is contributing to the serious problem of bacterial resistance. It is necessary to promote educational strategies focused on the correct use of antibiotics in the community. The worst results were found mainly in the population with a low level of education. The level of education was the variable that most influenced the knowledge and attitudes of the population, followed by the sex of the participants.

Antibiotic Over-Prescription by Dentists in the Treatment of Apical Periodontitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

After pulp infection and necrosis, the passage of microbial antigens into the periapical space causes apical periodontitis (AP). Most of the clinical forms of AP can be managed without prescribing antibiotics, only with root canal treatment and abscess drainage or, where appropriate, tooth extraction. However, the scientific literature provides evidence of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in the management of apical disease. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze the global pattern of antibiotic prescription in the treatment of apical disease. METHODS: PRISMA Guidelines were followed to carry out this systematic review. The research question was as follows: What is the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of the different clinical forms of apical periodontitis? A systematic search was conducted on MEDLINE/PubMed, Wiley Online Database, Web of Science and Scopus. All studies reporting data about the pattern of antibiotic prescription by dentists in the treatment of apical disease were included. The meta-analyses were calculated using the Open Meta Analyst version 10.10 software. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 96 articles and thirty-nine cross-sectional studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The overall percentage of antibiotic prescriptions by dentists in cases of symptomatic AP was 25.8%, and 31.5% in cases of asymptomatic AP with sinus tract present. The percentage of dentists prescribing antibiotics in cases of acute apical abscess with no/mild symptoms was 47.7%, whereas, in cases of acute apical abscess with moderate/severe symptoms, 88.8% of dentists would prescribe antibiotics. Endodontists prescribe antibiotics at a lower rate than general practitioners. The total risk of bias was considered moderate, and the final rating for the certainty of the evidence was low. CONCLUSIONS: Dentists worldwide are over-prescribing antibiotics in the management of apical disease. It is necessary to improve antibiotic prescribing habits in the treatment of endodontic infections, as well as educational initiatives to encourage the rational and appropriate prescription of antibiotics in periapical diseases.

Prevalence of apical periodontitis and non-retention of root-filled teeth in hypertensive patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested a relationship between AP, as well as the loss of root-filled teeth (RFT), and hypertension (HTN). OBJECTIVES: The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to investigate the prevalence of AP, and non-retention of RFT, in hypertensive patients. METHODS: A search was performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and EMBASE. The inclusion criteria established were studies published until February 2023, comparing hypertensive subjects with controls, assessing the prevalence of AP and/or providing data on the prevalence of non-retained RFT. Meta-analysis was performed using the RevMan (analyst) tool to determine the pooled prevalence of AP and loss of RFT. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk-of-Bias tool. The quality of evidence was assessed by GRADE. RESULTS: The search strategy identified 454 articles, and only eight met the inclusion criteria. Six studies had analysed the association between AP and HTN and two studies had analysed the association between non-retention of RFT and HTN. Meta-analysis showed and overall OR = 1.71 (95% CI = 0.92-3.16; p = .09) for the prevalence of AP among patients with HTN. The prevalence of non-retention of RFT among patients with HTN has an overall OR = 1.78 (95% CI = 1.60-1.98; p = .000001). The risk of bias in the individual studies was low or moderate, and the quality of the overall evidence has shown a level of certainty very low. DISCUSSION: There is no association between the prevalence of AP and HTN. In addition, hypertensive patients have significantly increased odds of losing RFT. Given the high prevalence of hypertension, it is very common to perform root canal treatments on hypertensive patients. It is imperative to communicate this heightened risk to patients and recommend periodic monitoring of oral health and hypertension, paying special attention to this subset of patients. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022302385.

Does Diabetes Increase the Frequency of Root-Filled teeth: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Background: The indicated treatment in cases of apical periodontitis (AP), a disease very prevalent in diabetic patients, is root canal treatment (RCT). This study aims to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis to answer the following PICO question: In adult patients, does the absence or presence of diabetes affect the prevalence of root filled teeth (RFT)"? Material and Methods: PRISMA Guidelines have been followed to carry out this systematic review. A literature search was undertaken in PubMed-MEDLINE, Embase and Scielo. All studies reporting the prevalence of RFT in diabetic patients and control subjects using radiographic examination were included. Study characteristics and risk ratios with 95% CIs were extracted. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed. Results: Five studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Prevalence of RFT were estimated with 701 people and 15,882 teeth. Among diabetic patients, 6.1% of teeth had undergone RCT, while in controls this percentage was 3% (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.0 - 2.9; p = 0.065). Among diabetic patients, 65% had at least one RFT, while in controls this percentage dropped to 55% (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.5 - 3.7; p> 0.05). The certainty of evidence was low. Conclusions: The prevalence of RFT in diabetic patients is almost double that in the control population, however this result is only marginally significant. Dentists must take into account the high prevalence of RFT in diabetic patients, investigating the presence of diabetes in those patients in whom a high frequency of RCT is observed. Key words:Diabetes, endodontics, epidemiology, root canal treatment, root filled teeth, prevalence, survey, population-based study.

Sol-Gel Technologies to Obtain Advanced Bioceramics for Dental Therapeutics.

The aim of this work is to review the application of bioceramic materials in the context of current regenerative dentistry therapies, focusing on the latest advances in the synthesis of advanced materials using the sol-gel methodology. Chemical synthesis, processing and therapeutic possibilities are discussed in a structured way, according to the three main types of ceramic materials used in regenerative dentistry: bioactive glasses and glass ceramics, calcium phosphates and calcium silicates. The morphology and chemical composition of these bioceramics play a crucial role in their biological properties and effectiveness in dental therapeutics. The goal is to understand their chemical, surface, mechanical and biological properties better and develop strategies to control their pore structure, shape, size and compositions. Over the past decades, bioceramic materials have provided excellent results in a wide variety of clinical applications related to hard tissue repair and regeneration. Characteristics, such as their similarity to the chemical composition of the mineral phase of bones and teeth, as well as the possibilities offered by the advances in nanotechnology, are driving the development of new biomimetic materials that are required in regenerative dentistry. The sol-gel technique is a method for producing synthetic bioceramics with high purity and homogeneity at the molecular scale and to control the surfaces, interfaces and porosity at the nanometric scale. The intrinsic nanoporosity of materials produced by the sol-gel technique correlates with the high specific surface area, reactivity and bioactivity of advanced bioceramics.

Hyposalivation but not Sjögren's syndrome associated with microbial dysbiosis in women.

Background: Saliva modulates the environment of the oral biofilm through pH buffer, microbial attachment to host surfaces, and nutritional source. The ecology of stress occurs when a physical factor adversely impacts an ecosystem or its biotic components. Therefore, reduced salivary flow can affect oral-host balance. The leading causes of hyposalivation include disease-associated Sjögren's syndrome (SS) and menopausal women as aging-associated. However, little is known about the oral microbiome integrated with sex hormones in hyposalivation. This study aimed to characterize the hyposalivation microbiome caused by aging or disease affecting the salivary glands in women. Methods: We included 50 women older than 40 years of age in any menopausal phase. We collected stimulated saliva from 25 women diagnosed with SS (SS) and 25 without SS (non-SS). The bacterial profile of the patients was obtained by 16S rRNA sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis used machine learning to analyze the cohort's signs, symptoms, and bacterial profile. Salivary estradiol as a sex hormone variation level was determined. Results: We obtained that 79% of the SS group, and 52% of the non-SS group had hyposalivation. We found a negatively correlated Prevotella-age and Rothia-estradiol in the SS group. Highlight, we found that the cause of the hyposalivation in the study did not explain differences in microbial diversity comparing non-SS and SS groups. Therefore, microbial communities found in hyposalivation but not related to systemic conditions suggest that changes in the oral environment might underpin host-microbial balance. Conclusion: The salivary microbiome was similar in women with and without SS. However, hyposalivation showed two distinctive clusters associated with the bacterial population profiles. Our study suggests that local ecological disturbances could drive the change in the microbiome.

Treatment of pulpal and apical disease: The European Society of Endodontology (ESE) S3-level clinical practice guideline.

BACKGROUND: The ESE previously published quality guidelines for endodontic treatment in 2006; however, there have been significant changes since not only in clinical endodontics but also in consensus and guideline development processes. In the development of the inaugural S3-level clinical practice guidelines (CPG), a comprehensive systematic and methodologically robust guideline consultation process was followed in order to produce evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients presenting with pulpal and apical disease. AIM: To develop an S3-level CPG for the treatment of pulpal and apical disease, focusing on diagnosis and the implementation of the treatment approaches required to manage patients presenting with pulpitis and apical periodontitis (AP) with the ultimate goal of preventing tooth loss. METHODS: This S3-level CPG was developed by the ESE, with the assistance of independent methodological guidance provided by the Association of Scientific Medical Societies in Germany and utilizing the GRADE process. A robust, rigorous and transparent process included the analysis of relevant comparative research in 14 specifically commissioned systematic reviews, prior to evaluation of the quality and strength of evidence, the formulation of specific evidence and expert-based recommendations in a structured consensus process with leading endodontic experts and a broad base of external stakeholders. RESULTS: The S3-level CPG for the treatment of pulpal and apical disease describes in a series of clinical recommendations the effectiveness of diagnosing pulpitis and AP, prior to investigating the effectiveness of endodontic treatments in managing those diseases. Therapeutic strategies include the effectiveness of deep caries management in cases with, and without, spontaneous pain and pulp exposure, vital versus nonvital teeth, the effectiveness of root canal instrumentation, irrigation, dressing, root canal filling materials and adjunct intracanal procedures in the management of AP. Prior to treatment planning, the critical importance of history and case evaluation, aseptic techniques, appropriate training and re-evaluations during and after treatment is stressed. CONCLUSION: The first S3-level CPG in endodontics informs clinical practice, health systems, policymakers, other stakeholders and patients on the available and most effective treatments to manage patients with pulpitis and AP in order to preserve teeth over a patient's lifetime, according to the best comparative evidence currently available.

The Role of Apical Periodontitis Disease in the Development of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw: An Animal Study.

BACKGROUND: Microorganisms and their by-products are responsible for establishing pulpal and periapical diseases. Healing is compromised in patients under bisphosphonate therapy, and the presence of periapical infections can potentially lead to the development of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This work aimed to evaluate if bisphosphonate therapy is a risk factor for MRONJ development in the presence of periapical lesions. METHODS: Two groups of 10 female Wistar rats were used. The experimental group received zoledronate (0.1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, and the control received a saline solution, three times a week for three weeks. One week after the last injection, apical periodontitis was induced through pulpal exposure in the mandibular first molars. Twenty-one days later, the animals were intravenously injected with 99mTc-HMDP, and the radioactivity uptake by mandibular specimens was counted. In addition, sample radiographs and a histological examination were performed. RESULTS: The bone loss was higher in the control group when compared to the experimental group (p = 0.027). 99mTc-HMDP uptake in the control was reduced compared with the experimental group, although without statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of zoledronate therapy, apical periodontitis does not increase the risk of MRONJ development, and periapical lesions have lower bone resorption when compared to the control group.

Prevalence of oral infections in chronic kidney disease patients: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and periodontal disease (periodontitis) (PD) in Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in relation to their treatment phase. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 188 patients with CKD were divided into two groups: patients without dialysis (WD group, n = 53) and patients on dialysis (DP group, n = 135). Panoramic radiographs were used to diagnose AP. The presence of periodontal disease was evaluated radiographically assessing alveolar bone loss. Student's t-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the significance of differences between groups. RESULTS: In the WD group, 55% of patients had at least one tooth with AP, whereas in the DP group 67% had at least one tooth with AP (OR = 2.11; 95% CI = 1.09-4.08; p < 0.05). PD was more prevalent in the DP group (78%) than in the WD group (36%) (OR = 6.26; CI 95% = 3.13-12.52; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral infections are more prevalent in the advanced stages of CKD. The treatment of PD and AP should be incorporated in the treatment planning of patients with CKD.

Endodontic variables in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) in relation to the severity of the disease

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2) is the cause of the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It has been hypothesized oral health may be related to the severity and complications of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of apical periodontitis and the frequency of root canal treatment in a sample of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19), correlating them with the severity of the disease. Material and methods: This retrospective study was conducted following the Strengthening Reporting Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. The study examined 280 patients with positive real time PCR COVID-19 test whose treatment was performed in our hospital. Fifty-two patients aged 52.3 ± 17.3 years, including 30 males and 22 females, who had an orthopantomography in their clinical record, performed in the last 2 years, were included. Patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection were grouped as mild or moderate (MM) and severe or critical (SC) illness groups, according to the NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines (Wu & McGoogan 2020). Radiographic records were analyzed and apical periodontitis (AP) was diagnosed as radiolucent periapical lesions (RPLs), using the periapical index score (PAI). Student's t test, χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression were used in the statistical analysis. Results: The number of carious teeth was significantly higher in the SC group (3.4 ± 4.1), which showed more than twice as many teeth with carious lesions than the MM group (1.4 ± 1.8) (p = 0.02). Multivariate regression analysis showed association between the number of carious teeth and the severity of SARS-CoV-2 disease (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1-2.1; p = 0.017). Endodontic status (OR = 7.12; 95% CI = 1.2-40.9; p = 0.027) also correlated with the disease severity. (AU)

Impact of systemic health on treatment outcomes in endodontics.

BACKGROUND: The healing of periapical lesions after root canal treatment (RCT) is not the result of the curative action of the treatment. The process of healing begins with inflammation, and is resolved by the clearance of the immunogen that induces the immune response. Then, the periapical tissue itself carries out the healing of the periapical lesion, by repair or by a combination of repair and regeneration, depending on the host's reparative response working properly. The ultimate objective of RCT is to achieve wound healing by removing the source of bacterial antigens and toxins, allowing chronic inflammatory tissue to become reparative tissue. Some systemic conditions increase the susceptibility of the host to infection or impair the tissue reparative response, maintaining the inflammatory process and periapical bone resorption after RCT. This can cause the failure of RCT and even the need for extraction of the affected tooth. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the scientific literature on the possible influence of systemic conditions on the treatment outcomes in endodontics, as well as to discuss the biological mechanisms that may be involved. METHODS: The search was carried out in PubMed, SCOPUS and EMBASE. The inclusion criteria established were original scientific articles reporting data about some systemic condition in relation to treatment outcomes in endodontics, including clinical studies and studies carried out in animal models. RESULTS: Systemic factors (age, nutrition, stress, hormones, smoking habits), and systemic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis, HIV infection, inflammatory bowel disease, and others, can influence or interfere in the repair of periapical tissues after RCT. DISCUSSION: Some of these systemic diseases can alter bone turnover and fibroblast function, preventing or delaying periapical wound healing. Others can alter the microvasculature, reducing nutrients and oxygen supply to periapical tissues. As a result, these systemic conditions can decrease the success rate of RCT and provoke incomplete wound healing (typically granulomatous tissue formation) in the periapical region. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this narrative review show worse success rate of RCT, with higher percentage of postoperative radiolucent periapical lesions and higher proportion of non-retained teeth (RFT), associated with several systemic conditions, such as smoking habits and diabetes.

Prevalence of Dens Invaginatus assessed by CBCT: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Dens invaginatus is a developmental dental anomaly resulting from an invagination of dental tissues folding from the outer surface towards dental pulp. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of dens invaginatus using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA statements. The research question was: What is the prevalence of dens invaginatus in the adult population assessed by CBCT? The MeSH terms were used to search articles published in the electronic database PubMed. Studies were selected considering predetermined eligibility criteria. The Robins-I tool developed by Cochrane was used to assess methodological quality and risk of bias. Results: Four studies were included in this systematic review, including 2009 CBCT images. The overall prevalence of dens invaginatus was 9.0% (95% CI = 7.2 - 10.8%; p< 0.001). Three studies were considered of low risk of bias. Conclusions: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis show that prevalence of dens invaginatus using CBCT was higher than previous estimations carried out with conventional radiographs. Therefore, an early identification and a correct management of invaginated teeth is essential for improving the prognosis of these teeth. It can be concluded that teeth with dens invaginatus should always be studied using CBCT. Key words:Dens invaginatus, Dens in dente, Dental anomalies, CBCT, Cone beam computed tomography.

Outcome of Direct Pulp Capping in Teeth Diagnosed as Irreversible Pulpitis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This review and meta-analysis investigates the outcome of direct pulp capping in teeth diagnosed as irreversible pulpitis. Material and Methods: This systematic review includes experimental and descriptive clinical studies according to the PRISMA criteria, using PubMed and Scopus as database. We have included studies that performed direct pulp capping on human permanent teeth previously diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis and that carried out a subsequent follow-up. The outcome of interest was the clinical success of direct pulp capping. Results: A total of four studies met the inclusion criteria for this review, however only three of these could be included in the meta-analysis. These three studies represent a total sample of 62 teeth with irreversible pulpitis treated with direct pulp capping that showed an overall success rate of 0.953 (CI=0.900-1.005; p<0.001; I²=0). Additionally, the success rates of vital pulp therapies were compared, all of them being greater than 75%; and the success rates of the materials used were analyzed, giving values above 80% in all cases. The risk of bias of the included articles was established using the ROBINS-I tool, showing that two of the articles had a moderate risk of bias and the remaining two had a very high risk of bias. Conclusions: Based on the results of this review, direct pulp capping should be clinically included as a successful technique for the treatment of irreversible pulpitis. However, a larger number of studies with more rigorous methodologies are necessary to confirm the efficacy of this technique. Key words:Irreversible pulpitis, direct pulp capping (DPC), vital pulp therapy (VPT), indirect pulp capping (IPC), partial pulpotomy, total pulpotomy.

Prevalence of root canal treatment worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of root filled teeth (RFT) worldwide will inform about the amount of clinical activity of dentists dedicated to treat endodontic disease. OBJECTIVES: To carry out a systematic review with meta-analysis answering the following question: What is the prevalence of RFT around the world? The percentage of people with at least one RFT was also investigated. METHODS: A systematic review including population-based studies using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE and Scielo. Studies related to prevalence of RFT were included. The outcome of interest of the study was the prevalence of RFT. The meta-analyses were calculated with the Open Meta Analyst software to determine the global prevalence of RFT. Subgroups analyses were performed comparing geographical distribution, radiographic method and year of the study (classified in 20th or 21th century). The prevalence of people with at least one RFT was also analysed. RESULTS: Seventy-four population-based studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Twenty-eight, forty-four and two studies reported high, moderate and low risk of bias, respectively. No obvious publication bias was observed. Prevalence of RFT was estimated with 1 201 255 teeth and 32 162 patients. The calculated worldwide prevalence of RFT was 8.2% (95% CI = 7.3%-9.1%; p < .001). The global prevalence of people with at least one RFT was 55.7% (95% CI = 49.6%-61.8%; p < .001). In 20th century, the prevalence of RFT was 10.2% (95% CI = 7.9%-12.5%; p < .001), whereas in the 21st century the overall calculated prevalence of RFT was 7.5% (95% CI = 6.5%-8.6%; p < .001). Brazilian people (12%) and the European population (9.3%) showed the highest prevalence of RFT. In Europe, 59.6% (95% CI = 52.4%-66.8%) of people has at least one RFT. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed that root canal treatment is a very common therapy throughout the world. More than half of the studied population have at least one RFT. A limitation of the present study is that most of the studies did not consider random sampling for population selection. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO Systematic review registration number: (CRD42022329053).