(PR031) A Retrospective Study of Incomplete Primary Root Canal Treatments

Objectives: Patients may fail to complete primary orthograde root canal treatment (RCT) for various reasons. The disease and patient-based outcomes associated with this treatment have not been extensively studied. This study investigated tooth-specific and patient characteristics linked to RCT initiation without completion in an academic setting.

Methods: Demographic and clinical data were obtained from axiUm at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry (UICoD) for patients treated between July 2009 and July 2022.

Results: A total of 599 subjects (one tooth per subject) met the inclusion criteria. The cohort was predominately female (67.8%), mostly white (70.6%), lived within 60 miles of UICoD (64.3%), and were enrolled in the state-sponsored Dental Wellness Plan insurance (55.4%). Of the 599 teeth, 65.8% had incomplete RCT, 19% were not completed due to non-restorability, 5.5% were extracted for unknown reasons, and 4% were extracted due to patient preference following treatment initiation. At the time of the patient’s most recent visit to the UICoD (750.97±1,086.92 days), 38.6% of teeth remained in the mouth, while 37.9% had been extracted or were planned for extraction (23.5%). Pulp necrosis (43.3%) and symptomatic apical periodontitis (58%) were the most common pulpal and periapical diagnoses associated with incomplete RCT. Nearly 62% of teeth with incomplete RCT were molars, and over half (54.4%) were seen in the pre-doctoral clinic.

Conclusion: Teeth with pain at diagnosis, molars, and limited clinician experience may increase the risk of patients failing to complete treatment. This research was funded by UICoD Student Research Program