Risk score algorithm for treatment of persistent apical periodontitis
- PMID: 25190267
- PMCID: PMC4293765
- DOI: 10.1177/0022034514549559
Risk score algorithm for treatment of persistent apical periodontitis
Abstract
Persistent apical periodontitis related to a nonvital tooth that does not resolve following root canal treatment may be compatible with health and may not require further intervention. This research aimed to develop a Deterioration Risk Score (DRS) to differentiate lesions requiring further intervention from lesions likely to be compatible with health. In this cross-sectional study, patient records (2003-2008) were screened for root-filled teeth with periapical radiolucency visible on periapical radiographs taken at treatment and at recruitment at least 4 yr later. The final sample consisted of 228 lesions in 182 patients. Potential demographic and treatment risk factors were screened against 3 categorical outcomes (improved/unchanged/deteriorated), and a multivariate independent multinomial probit regression model was built. A 5-level DRS was constructed by summing values of adjusted regression coefficients in the model, based on predicted probabilities of deterioration. Most lesions (127, 55.7%) had improved over time, while 32 (14.0%) remained unchanged, and 69 (30.3%) had deteriorated. Significant predictors of deterioration were as follows: time since treatment (relative risk [RR]: 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.22, p = .030, rounded beta value = 1, for every year increase after 4 yr), current pain (RR: 3.79, 95% CI: 1.48-9.70, p = .005, rounded beta value = 13), sinus tract present (RR: 4.13, 95% CI: 1.11-15.29, p = .034, rounded beta value = 14), and lesion size (RR: 7.20, 95% CI: 3.70-14.02, p < .001, rounded beta value = 20). Persistent apical periodontitis with DRS <15 represented very low risk; 15-20, low risk; 21-30, moderate risk; 31-40, high risk; and >40, very high risk. DRS could help the clinician identify persistent apical periodontitis at low risk for deterioration, and it would not require intervention. When validated, this tool could reduce the risk of overtreatment and contribute toward targeted care and better efficiency in the timely management of disease.
Keywords: decision making; endodontics; periapical periodontitis; probability; regression analysis; root canal therapy.
© International & American Associations for Dental Research.
Conflict of interest statement
The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.
Figures
![Figure 1.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/4293765/bin/10.1177_0022034514549559-fig1.gif)
![Figure 2.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/4293765/bin/10.1177_0022034514549559-fig2.gif)
Similar articles
-
Success rate of single- versus two-visit root canal treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis: a randomized controlled trial.J Endod. 2012 Sep;38(9):1164-9. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2012.05.021. Epub 2012 Jul 26. J Endod. 2012. PMID: 22892729 Clinical Trial.
-
Root canal treatment and prevalence of apical periodontitis in a nigerian adult subpopulation: a radiographic study.Oral Health Prev Dent. 2015;13(1):85-90. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.a31661. Oral Health Prev Dent. 2015. PMID: 24624387
-
Is apical periodontitis in root filled teeth associated with the type of restoration?Acta Odontol Scand. 2015 Apr;73(3):169-75. doi: 10.3109/00016357.2014.950182. Epub 2015 Jan 19. Acta Odontol Scand. 2015. PMID: 25598235
-
Endodontic Periapical Lesion: An Overview on the Etiology, Diagnosis and Current Treatment Modalities.Eur Endod J. 2020 Jul 14;5(2):54-67. doi: 10.14744/eej.2020.42714. eCollection 2020. Eur Endod J. 2020. PMID: 32766513 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Treatment of the immature tooth with a non-vital pulp and apical periodontitis.Dent Clin North Am. 2010 Apr;54(2):313-24. doi: 10.1016/j.cden.2009.12.006. Dent Clin North Am. 2010. PMID: 20433980 Review.
Cited by
-
Are comorbidities associated with the cytokine/chemokine profile of persistent apical periodontitis?Clin Oral Investig. 2023 Sep;27(9):5203-5215. doi: 10.1007/s00784-023-05139-3. Epub 2023 Jul 11. Clin Oral Investig. 2023. PMID: 37434075 Free PMC article.
-
Role of Enterococcus faecalis in refractory apical periodontitis: from pathogenicity to host cell response.J Oral Microbiol. 2023 Mar 1;15(1):2184924. doi: 10.1080/20002297.2023.2184924. eCollection 2023. J Oral Microbiol. 2023. PMID: 36891193 Free PMC article. Review.
-
Radiologic assessment of quality of root canal fillings and periapical status in an Austrian subpopulation - An observational study.PLoS One. 2017 May 2;12(5):e0176724. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176724. eCollection 2017. PLoS One. 2017. PMID: 28464019 Free PMC article.
References
-
- Azarpazhooh A, Dao T, Figueiredo R, Krahn M, Friedman S. (2013). A survey of dentists’ preferences for the treatment of teeth with apical periodontitis. J Endod 39:1226-1233. - PubMed
-
- Burstyn I. (2010). Antepartum risk score predicts adverse birth outcomes.J Obstet Gynaecol Can 32:16-20. - PubMed
-
- Byström A, Sundqvist G. (1981). Bacteriologic evaluation of the efficacy of mechanical root canal instrumentation in endodontic therapy. Scand J Dent Res 89:321-328. - PubMed
-
- de Chevigny C, Dao TT, Basrani BR, Marquis V, Farzaneh M, Abitbol S, et al. (2008). Treatment outcome in endodontics: the Toronto study. Phase 4: initial treatment. J Endod 34:258-263. - PubMed
-
- European Society of Endodontology (2006). Quality guidelines for endodontic treatment: consensus report of the European Society of Endodontology. Int Endod J 39:921-930. - PubMed
Publication types
MeSH terms
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
Other Literature Sources