(PR015) Efficacy of High-Frequency Electrical Conduction for Apical Periodontitis with Large Periapical Lesions: A Retrospective Analysis

Objectives: High-frequency conduction (HFC) has a bactericidal effect. This retrospective clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of HFC in improving large periapical lesions.

Methods: The study included 135 single-rooted teeth with periapical lesions >5 mm, which had undergone non-surgical root canal treatment. The cases were divided into the HFC group (endodontic treatment combined with HFC) and the Control group (conventional treatment without HFC). The results were assessed based on changes in the periapical lesion area and clinical symptoms. The influence of seven factors (HFC, age, gender, tooth type, history of treatment, clinical symptom, and periapical lesion area) on the outcomes was analyzed. Survival analysis was conducted to compare the clinical outcomes between both groups in the adjusted data utilizing propensity score matching (PSM). The rate of change in periapical lesion area in successful cases from both groups was evaluated.

Results: 56 teeth (28 teeth in each group) matched by PSM demonstrated the cumulated success rates were 21.6% and 81.3% after 12±3 months, 71.1%, and 96.8% after 48±6 months, respectively. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that only HFC was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The HFC group showed a significantly higher average monthly reduction in periapical lesion area (14.0% [4.9%–22.0%]/month) compared to the control group (3.1% [2.4%–8.0%]/month).

Conclusion: Applying HFC for apical periodontitis with large periapical lesions resulted in faster healing and a higher success rate than conventional root canal treatment.