Data on Endodontic Treatment Performed between April 2012 and March 2013 in the Department of Endodontics at Showa University Dental Hospital

Abstract

 Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the current status of endodontic treatment performed in the Department of Endodontics at Showa University Dental Hospital.
 Methods: Data were collected on endodontic treatments (total number, number of root canal-filled teeth, prevalence of pulpitis, and prevalence of apical periodontitis) performed on outpatients between April 2012 and March 2013 for comparison with similar data from a previous study conducted between April 2009 and March 2010.
 Results: The following results were obtained:
 1. In total, 863 outpatients received endodontic treatment.
 2. Of the 953 total root canal-filled teeth, 372 had pulpitis and 581 had apical periodontitis. Among the root canal-filled teeth with pulpitis, there were 69 lower molars, 83 maxillary molars, 46 lower premolars, 53 maxillary premolars, 66 lower anteriors, and 55 maxillary anteriors. Of the root canal-filled teeth with apical periodontitis, there were 154 lower molars, 112 maxillary molars, 68 lower premolars, 89 maxillary premolars, 49 lower anteriors, and 109 maxillary anteriors.
 3. The mean number of treatments was 2.8 for root canal-filled teeth with pulpitis and 3.5 for those with apical periodontitis.
 4. A comparison of the data from the previous study with the present data revealed that the total number of outpatients (419 to 863) and the total number of root canal-filled teeth (348 to 953) had increased between the two time periods. In contrast, the mean number of treatments decreased for both teeth with pulpitis (3.9 to 2.8) and teeth with apical periodontitis (5.7 to 3.5).
 Conclusion: The total number of outpatients and root canal-filled teeth had increased and the mean number of treatments had decreased when compared to the previous survey. The reduction in the average number of treatments could be attributed to the introduction of cone beam computed tomography and microscope-enabled detection of perforation, apical foramen destruction, and root fracture at an early stage. As a result, surgical procedures can be performed more precisely. In addition, work efficiency when using a nickel-titanium rotary file was improved. In order to promote medical cooperation in the future, we plan to evaluate the status of endodontic treatment in our department and report statistical observations on a regular basis.