Evaluation of Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Undergraduate Students of a Brazilian University / Avaliação da qualidade da obturação do canal radicular realizada por estudantes de graduação de uma Universidade brasileira

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of root canal filling performed by undergraduate students at the Federal University of Espirito Santo (UFES). A total of 368 periapical radiographs of endodontic treatment performed by undergraduate students between 2012 and 2014 was assessment. The quality of root canal filling was based on two criteria: length of root canal filling and adequate density of the obturation. Root canal fillings were considered adequate if had no voids and were located at 0-2 mm below the radiographic apex. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square tests, with a 5% significance level. In 93.8% of the cases the root canal filling was considered adequate. The density of the obturation was considered inadequate in 3% of the cases. When the length of root canal filling was observed, 1.2% of cases were considered as over-filled and 2.2% were considered under-filled. Non-significant differences were observed among the tooth type (incisive, canines and pre-molars) and the quality of root canal filling. Most of root canal filling performed by undergraduate students at the UFES were considered adequate, regardless of tooth type.