IADR Abstract Archives
Periapical and Endodontic Status Among 65-Year-Olds in Oslo, Norway
Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of apical periodontitis (AP) and root-filled teeth in the young-elderly population in Oslo, Norway, and to investigate associations of pathosis and treatment with selected socioeconomic and behavioral factors.
Methods: A random sample of 450 65-year-olds living in Oslo, answered a questionnaire and underwent a clinical and radiographic examination (52% men and 48% women; response rate 58%). Based on detection from panoramic radiographs, periapical radiographs were taken of all root-filled teeth and of teeth with apical radiolucency, and their periapical status was evaluated using the Periapical Index. The dependent variables were presence of ‘untreated AP’, ‘root-filled tooth’, and ‘root-filled tooth with AP’ on individual level. The independent variables were gender, country of birth (western/non-western), education level (basic/higher), dental attendance pattern (regular/irregular), and smoking (never/former/current). The level of significance was set to p < 0.05 for statistical tests of associations.
Results: The mean number of remaining teeth was 26 (SD: 4). AP was present in 45% of the individuals. Sixteen percent of the individuals had untreated AP and 38% had at least one root-filled tooth with AP. Sixty-six percent of the individuals had one or more root-filled teeth. Root-filled teeth were significantly more prevalent among regular dental attenders (68%) compared to irregular attenders (49%), and among former smokers (74%) compared to never-smokers (59%) (Chi-square test). In the logistic regression analysis of untreated AP, including all the independent variables, only current smoking was statistically significant (OR (95% CI): 2.9 (1.4-6.2), reference group: never-smokers).
Conclusions: AP and root-filled teeth were prevalent in the present young-elderly population. The remaining number of teeth was high and a notable amount of untreated AP was observed, especially in smokers. The findings in the present young-elderly population indicate a substantial need for dental care associated with endodontic conditions in the future elderly.
Methods: A random sample of 450 65-year-olds living in Oslo, answered a questionnaire and underwent a clinical and radiographic examination (52% men and 48% women; response rate 58%). Based on detection from panoramic radiographs, periapical radiographs were taken of all root-filled teeth and of teeth with apical radiolucency, and their periapical status was evaluated using the Periapical Index. The dependent variables were presence of ‘untreated AP’, ‘root-filled tooth’, and ‘root-filled tooth with AP’ on individual level. The independent variables were gender, country of birth (western/non-western), education level (basic/higher), dental attendance pattern (regular/irregular), and smoking (never/former/current). The level of significance was set to p < 0.05 for statistical tests of associations.
Results: The mean number of remaining teeth was 26 (SD: 4). AP was present in 45% of the individuals. Sixteen percent of the individuals had untreated AP and 38% had at least one root-filled tooth with AP. Sixty-six percent of the individuals had one or more root-filled teeth. Root-filled teeth were significantly more prevalent among regular dental attenders (68%) compared to irregular attenders (49%), and among former smokers (74%) compared to never-smokers (59%) (Chi-square test). In the logistic regression analysis of untreated AP, including all the independent variables, only current smoking was statistically significant (OR (95% CI): 2.9 (1.4-6.2), reference group: never-smokers).
Conclusions: AP and root-filled teeth were prevalent in the present young-elderly population. The remaining number of teeth was high and a notable amount of untreated AP was observed, especially in smokers. The findings in the present young-elderly population indicate a substantial need for dental care associated with endodontic conditions in the future elderly.