(PR154) The Influence of PCO on Endodontic Complications and Visits in Anterior Teeth

Introduction: Management of teeth with pulp canal obliteration (PCO) may be challenging due to increased difficulty locating and navigating canals. This study used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to investigate how the degree of PCO in anterior teeth influences the rate of complications and visits during the non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT).

Methods: A retrospective record review was conducted for adult patients that underwent NSRCT of anterior teeth with PCO from 2013-2024. Pre-operative CBCTs as well as periapical radiographs were reviewed for several variables including pre-operative caries, presence/absence of visible canal space, canal diameter, entire width/diameter of the root, presence/absence of visible canal at the CEJ, middle third, and 0.5-1.0 mm from the radiographic apex. A preliminary analysis was conducted to assess the association of variables with the number of complications and visits. A final analysis will be available at the time of presentation.

Results: The sample size consisted of 34 maxillary teeth (16 female,18 male) with the mean ± SD age of subjects being 53.3±22.4 years. The mean ± SD number of visits was 1.6±0.7 and 29/34 (85.3%) of the teeth had no complications. The canal was visible in 12 teeth (35.3%) at the CEJ, 29 teeth (85.3%) at midroot level, and 24 teeth (70.6%) 3 mm from the apex. The ratio of visible canal space to tooth length exhibited a significant negative association with the number of visits (p=0.042). No other associations were statistically significant (p >0.05).

Conclusion: Patients required more visits for teeth with less canal space visible in the pre-operative CBCT.