Evaluating Patterns of Restoring Endodontically Treated Permanent Teeth

Objective: Numerous research reports have discussed different types of definitive restorations for endodontically treated teeth; Compliance with the preferred approaches may increase the longevity of endodontically treated teeth. It was therefore, the aim of this study to evaluate the extent to which endodontically treated teeth are restored in two tertiary institutions in Nigeria. Materials and methods: Data were gathered from 586 endodontically treated permanent teeth that were restored between January, 2009 – June 2011, Patients' gender, and age, tooth treated, type of restoration received, and the time of placements of permanent restoration, were obtained from the patients' case notes. Permanent restoration denotes the presence of a “filling” ”cast restoration” or “post and core restoration” that was placed subsequent to the completion of endodontic treatment. Results: Five hundred and eighty-six (586) restored endodontically treated permanent teeth in 495 patients (ratio: 1.2:1) were evaluated. Much more post was placed in anterior teeth than in premolars (48.4% Vs 10.3%) and molars (48.4% Vs 6.4%). more than half of premolars and molars, (57.4% and 58.2%) respectively were restored without a cuspal coverage restoration. When premolars and molars were not restored with a crown, amalgam was used more than 4 times as often as composite for premolars and more than 7 times for molars. Time of placement of permanent restoration ranged from immediately after obturation for fillings (amalgam and bonded resin composite) to 3 – 4 weeks for Porcelain fused to metal and cuspal coverage restorations. Conclusion: The restoration of anterior teeth was more in agreement with treatment recommendations found in the literature, while that of posteriors was less consistent.