Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 80 teeth treated endodontically 1-3years previously. Treatment information was extracted from patient records including radiographs for signs of ongoing pathosis, technical standard of the endodontic restorations, any existing periapical radiolucencies and whether the initial radiolucency had increased or decreased in size following the endodontic treatment.
Results: Of the eighty records, 79% were classified definitely favourable, 3% as incomplete healing and 19% as unfavourable. Only cold lateral compaction of gutta percha was utilized with 88% filled within 2mm from the radiographic apex, 4% overfilled and 9% filled more than 2mm from the radiographic apex. Endodontic restorations that were less than 2mm from the radiographic apex had a higher favourable rate (86%) than those greater than 2mm from the radiographic apex (29%), (p<0.01). One quarter (25%) of the teeth had pre-existing periapical radiolucencies. Teeth with no pre-existing periapical radiolucencies had a higher favourable rate (79%) than those with pre-existing periapical radiolucency (19%), (p<0.01).If the definitely favourable outcomes and the incompletely healed cases were combined and classified as “functional and surviving”, then the total in this group was 83%.
Conclusion: When compared with literature the outcomes of endodontic treatment performed by FSMed dental students are comparable to that of endodontists and other dental students. Endodontic restorations using cold lateral compaction of gutta percha technique to within 2mm of the radiographic apex and teeth with no pre-existing periapical radiolucencies were more often associated with favourable outcomes.