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Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine endodontic treatment needs and types of endodontic disease following fixed prosthodontic treatment 24 hours after tooth preparation, 1 week after tooth preparation, 1 month after placement, and 6 months after placement.Materials and Methods: Study groups consisted of patients who attended a university dental hospital department of prosthodontics for fixed prosthodontic treatment from January 2011 to December 2013. All teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated according to American Association of Endodontists evaluation criteria before preparation. Metal-ceramic fixed partial dentures were placed for all patients. A total of 1,633 abutment teeth were prepared with 1,100 pontics in 524 patients (214 female and 310 male). Participant age, sex, and tooth number were recorded. Endodontic treatment follow-up was scheduled for 24 hours after tooth preparation, 1 week after preparation, 1 month after placement, and 6 months after placement, and all teeth were evaluated after placement of FPDs according to a modified criteria.Results: 2,733 retainers were placed with 624 FPDs. Of the FPDs, 332 (53%) were placed in the posterior and 196 (31.5%) in the anterior region. The remaining 96 FPDs (15.5%) were placed anteroposterior. The abutment/pontic ratio was 1.44:1. The number of retainers per FPD was 4.37. Of 1,633 abutment teeth, 103 were endodontically treated after placement of FPDs. Most observed endodontic disease was symptomatic irreversible pulpitis. There were statistically significant differences in terms of teeth regions (P < .001). When follow-up times of 24 hours, 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months were evaluated, there was no statistically significant difference among all teeth groups (P > .05).Conclusion: A total of 2,733 retainers on 624 FPDs were evaluated over 6 months, and the mean endodontic treatment need ratio was 6.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current treatment philosophy is to prevent and detect dental disease at the earliest stage in order to avoid invasive treatment. With the current understanding of the nature of dental disease and its process, the treatment philosophy is now changing to a more conservative approach and the concept of minimal intervention is gaining popularity in modern dentistry throughout the world. It is now established that demineralized but non-cavitated enamel and dentine can be healed and traditional surgical approach of drilling and filling may no longer be necessary as this only treats the symptoms of the disease and not the cause. However, when surgical intervention is indicated, the least invasive techniques such as preventive resin restoration and minimal cavity preparation are utilized. The aim of this article is to give dental professionals an overview of the concepts of minimal intervention dentistry and recent innovations in dental technology in both the diagnosis and treatment of dental caries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]