Electronic Thesis and Dissertations

Patient-based research provides insight into real-world endodontics. Cross-sectional studies describe the health status of populations. Root canal-associated pain is a source of fear for patients, a concern of dentists, and is remembered and shared.

Inclusion/exclusion criteria and defined searches selected articles in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases. Prevalence of periapical radiolucency and root canal treatment were calculated. L'Abbe plots evaluated the influence of root canal treatment on pain prevalence and severity.

5% of teeth had periapical radiolucencies, 9% endodontically treated, 37% of treated teeth had periapical radiolucencies, and 2% of untreated teeth had periapical radiolucencies. Pre-treatment, 24 hour, and 1 week pain prevalences were 81(28)%, 40(24)%, and 11(14)%. Pre-treatment, 24 hour, and 1 week pain severities, were 54(24)%, 24(12)%, and 5(5)%. L'Abbe plots revealed a decrease in pain prevalence and severity.

Prevalence of periapical radiolucency and root canal treatment was very high. Pain prevalence and severities decreased after treatment.