Prevalence of Apical Periodontitis and Frequency of Endodontic Treatment in an Adult Sudanese Population

Objectives:  the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of root filled teeth and apical periodontitis (AP) in an adult Sudanese population. Methods: Panoramic and periapical radiographs of 200 patients over 18 years of age not seeking emergency dental care, and attending the conservation clinics at the Faculty of Dentistry (University of Khartoum) and the Dental Hospital at the Faculty of Dentistry (University of  Science and Technology)  for the first time during the period from 1 March to 30 June 2007 were examined. The periapical status of all teeth (except third molars) was categorized on the basis of presence or absence of radiographic signs of AP. The frequency of root filled teeth was recorded. One observer evaluated the radiographs under standardized conditions. The data were analysed using the chi-square test and odds ratio. Results:  Radiographs indicated that 624 teeth (48.7% in the maxilla; 51.3% in the mandible) were missing leaving a total of 4967 teeth to be assessed. AP was found in 95 patients (47%) and 3.3% of the teeth. There were 42 (21%) patients with ≥1 root filled teeth and 80 (1.6%) teeth had been root filled. Of the root filled teeth, 24 (30.0%) had AP. There was no difference in the number of root filled teeth between males and females; the prevalence of root filled teeth increased with age. Conclusion: The prevalence of AP, the frequency of root filled teeth and the prevalence of root-filled teeth with AP in this Sudanese population were comparable with findings in other epidemiological studies carried out in European countries.