Periapical health related to the quality of root canal treatment in a Belgian population

Aim The aim of this study was to collect data on the prevalence and technical standard of root canal treatment as well as the prevalence of apical periodontitis in Belgium. Methodology: The panoramic radiographs of 206 Belgian adults attending the Dental School of the University Hospital of Gent were examined for endodontic treatment, periapical conditions and coronal restorations. Results Of the 4617 teeth examined, 6.8% were endodontically treated. Periapical radiolucencies were found in 6.6% of all teeth and in 40.4% of the endodontically treated teeth. More than half of the root-filled teeth (56.7%) were scored inadequate on the basis of a criterion evaluating the level of the root canal filling. Conclusion The endodontic treatment need of this Belgian subpopulation was great and the technical standard of root canal treatment disappointing. The findings indicate that there is still a substantial need for postgraduate endodontic education in Belgium and a need for specialists in endodontology.