Changing Aspects of Periapical Lesions in Teeth Left Without Intervention

To retrospectively evaluate the changing aspects of periapical lesions associated with endodontically treated teeth left without intervention, and the effect of possible influencing factors.

Method:

Periapical status surveys were retrospectively evaluated for the presence of periapical lesion in endodontically treated, coronally restored teeth. The changing aspects of the periapical lesions was evaluated based on the PAI score changes between the two consecutive periapical surveys with at least 4 years interval. The influence of various factors was evaluated.

Result:

The study cohort consisted of 74 patients with a total of 200 endodontically treated teeth with periapical lesion that answered inclusion criteria; 57 (28.5%) lesion remained un-changed, 103 (51.5%) lesions worsened (PAI score Increased), and 40 (20%) lesions improved (PAI score decreased). Poor root canal filling, or poor restoration were found to adversely affect the long term dynamics of the periapical lesions (P<0.05). Age, gender, and post presence had no statistically significant influence (p>0.05).

Conclusion:

Poor root canal filling, or poor restoration adversely affects the long term dynamics of periapical lesions left without intervention in endodontically treated teeth. In such cases, an intervention may be indicated.