Technical Quality and Associated Iatrogenic Errors of Endodontic Treatments Performed in Extracted Anterior Single-Rooted Teeth by Preclinical Undergraduate Students

Abstract

SUMMARY Aim: To evaluate technical quality of root canal treatments performed in extracted anterior single-rooted teeth in an undergraduate dental clinic, and to record the associated iatrogenic errors. Material and Method: 287 root canal treatments performed by 114 preclinical undergraduate students in extracted anterior teeth at the Department of Endodontology were radiographically evaluated, based on the following parameters: access cavity dimensions and direction, root canal instrumentation, and root canal filling quality. Results: The access cavity was found of adequate dimensions in 28.9% and straight in direction in 71.1% of the material. Erroneous position, overextension of the access cavity and non-straight access were noted in 39.7 %, 21.6% and 28.9% of the cases, respectively. The frequency of ledged root canals was 10.1%, while 84.7% of the teeth had no instrumentation related iatrogenic errors. Regarding root canal filling, incomplete density apically and technical inadequacies in the middle and cervical thirds were observed in 76.3% and 82.3% of the cases. The percentage of flawless endodontic treatments was 3.1%. Conclusions: Most of the endodontic treatments evaluated were classified unacceptable. Inadequate root canal filling density in the middle and cervical third and ledge formation were the most common faults.