Clinical and radiographic evaluation of root canal treatments performed by undergraduate students

Resumen

To clinically and radiographically evaluate the success of root canal treatments performed by undergraduate students in the period between 2019 and 2021. 65 patients were evaluated performing follow-up consultations at a minimum period of 1 year after the root canal treatment was concluded. In the follow-up consultations, clinical and radiographic examinations were performed in which the presence of fistula, edema, painful symptomatology, tooth functionality, and coronary conditions were evaluated. In addition, the initial, post-treatment, and follow-up radiographs were digitalized and analyzed by two examiners. The radiographic follow-up criteria were classified in three categories: complete healing, incomplete healing, and treatment failure. For statistical data, logistic regression was used to assess the correlation of variables with treatment success, with a significance level at P < 0.05. Of the cases evaluated, 11.6% failed. Follow-up times ranged from 1 to 3 years. Of the clinical signs and symptoms, pain was most often present (28%), followed by fistula, and tooth loosening (3% each). Multivariate logistic regression identified only five significant variables for treatment success: female gender, absence of periodontal ligament thickening, absence of lesion, absence of pain, and definitive restoration. The failure rate for root canal treatments performed by graduate students was low, but a longer follow-up period is necessary to accompany cases involving incomplete healing.