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To assess the efficiency of AI methods in finding radiographic features in Endodontic treatment considerations. This review was based on the PRISMA guidelines and QUADAS 2 tool. A systematic search was performed of the literature on cases with endodontic treatments, comparing AI algorithms (test) versus conventional image assessments (control) for finding radiographic features. The search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and the Cochrane library. Inclusion criteria were studies on the use of AI and machine learning in endodontic treatments using dental X-rays. The initial search retrieved 1131 papers, from which 24 were included. High heterogeneity of the materials left out a meta-analysis. The reported subcategories were periapical lesion, vertical root fractures, predicting root/canal morphology, locating minor apical foramen, tooth segmentation and endodontic retreatment prediction. Radiographic features assessed were mostly periapical lesions. The studies mostly considered the decision of 1–3 experts as the reference for training their models. Almost half of the included materials campared their trained neural network model with other methods. More than 58% of studies had some level of bias. AI-based models have shown effectiveness in finding radiographic features in different endodontic treatments. While the reported accuracy measurements seem promising, the papers mostly were biased methodologically.

Essentially, root fillings are performed to preserve natural teeth. Over time, however, some root-filled teeth will inevitably be extracted. The aim of this historical prospective cohort study in the adult Swedish population was to identify factors associated with extractions within 5 y of registration of a root filling. The cohort consisted of all those whose root fillings had been reported to the tax-funded Swedish Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) in 2009. Demographic data on the individuals registered with a root filling (sex, age, country of birth, disposable income, educational level, and marital status) were received from Statistics Sweden or the SSIA. Dental care setting, tooth type, and any registration of subsequent restorations within 6 mo were received from the SSIA. Multivariable regression analysis was used, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In total, 216,764 individuals had been registered with at least 1 root filling. Individuals ( n = 824) without complete data were excluded from the analyses. After 5 y, 9.3% of the root-filled teeth had been registered as extracted. Logistic regression analysis found significant associations for all variables except country of birth, disposable income, and educational level. The highest odds ratios for extractions were associated with the type of restoration: teeth with no registration of any restoration and teeth with a direct restoration combined with a post were 3 times more likely to undergo extraction than teeth restored with an indirect restoration combined with a post and core. Overall, high odds ratios for extractions were associated with any type of composite restoration, including composite fillings and crowns combined with or without any post. In summary, after root filling in the Swedish adult population, several individual- and tooth-specific variables were associated with extraction. The reasons for the extractions remain to be studied further.

AIM To investigate the 5-year frequency of additional treatments in relation to the number of reported root filled canals in molar teeth in Sweden. METHODOLOGY The cohort included first and second molars in adult individuals who were registered with a root filling performed in 2009. Treatment codes corresponding to root fillings of teeth with from one up to four root filled canals were identified in the Swedish Social Insurance Agency database. The studied additional treatments were extraction, non-surgical root canal retreatment and endodontic surgery during the subsequent 5 years, identified by corresponding codes for these treatments registered on these specific teeth. Differences in the frequency of additional treatments based on the number of root filled canals were analysed using chi-square test and considered statistically significant at P

The aim of this study was to re-assess the adoption of certain endodontic technology and central treatment principles of root canal treatments as advocated by guidelines presented by the European Society of Endodontology.The questionnaire included the same questions in 2003 and 2013. The general dental practitioners (GDPs) anonymously reported how frequent ('often', 'occasionally', and 'never') they used certain endodontic technology and adhered to central treatment principles. The statistical analyses were performed using Chi-squared test and Goodman-Kruskal's γ-coefficient as an association measure.The overall response rate of the 2013 group was 46.5% (n = 531). The frequencies of GDPs reporting often use of rubber dam, apex locator and rotary NiTi instruments were significantly higher (p .0001) than in 2003, as well as reporting the use of composite resin for coronal sealing (p .019). Adoption was significantly influenced by the factors gender (p = .601) and time since graduation (p = .361), and the cluster analyses revealed the neglected use of rubber dam to be associated with no established postoperative recall system.After 10 years, there was a higher frequency of GDPs who had adopted certain endodontic technologies. However, progress towards high-quality root canal treatment might be obstructed as the majority of GDPs avoids consistent use of rubber dam, and routinely neglects recalls for postoperative controls of their endodontic treatments.

Aim To study the demographics of Swedish adults who had received a root filling, followed by extraction during the following 5-6 years in comparison with subjects who had undergone a corresponding root filling with an uneventful outcome. Methodology The root filled maxillary first molar was chosen as the comparison model. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency provided data on all teeth reported as root filled in Sweden during 2009. A comparison group, equally large as the study group, was constructed by randomly selecting subjects with root filled maxillary first molars, which had not subsequently been extracted, that is, an uneventful outcome. Demographic data on the subjects were obtained from Statistics Sweden: country of birth, disposable income, educational level, age, civil status and gender. Chi-square, t-tests and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Results In the year 2009, 36 139 maxillary first molar teeth were reported to have been root filled, 4362 (12.1%) of which were then recorded as extracted during the following 5-6 year period. Only minor intergroup differences were noted: 86.5% of the study group were Swedish-born, compared with 84.4% of the comparison group (P = 0.007). Women comprised 53.2% of the study group and 50.5% (P = 0.01) of the comparison group. There was an association between extractions and gender as well as age; men had a lower odds ratio (OR) for extraction OR, 0.87; confidence interval (CI), 0.80-0.95. For every additional year, the chance for extraction was higher OR, 1.01; CI, 1.01-1.01. No other significant differences were detected. Conclusions There was only little or no demographic differences between the study group, comprising Swedish adults who had undergone root filling of one of their maxillary first molars in 2009 and subsequent extraction during the following 5-6 years, and the comparison group, with uneventful outcomes after a corresponding root filling.

Aim The aim was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of pain and discomfort from root-filled teeth in an adult Swedish population regularly attending dental care. A further aim was to exam ...

Aim To investigate the fees charged by Swedish dentists for root fillings, coronal restorations and further dental interventions during a follow-up period of 5-6 years. Methodology A total of 248,299 root fillings were linked with the tooth, the patient and the provider and entered into the Swedish Social Insurance Agency register in 2009. The data register also recorded the subsidy-based (scheduled) fee and the fee actually charged for the root fillings. Fees charged for direct or indirect coronal restorations and additional interventions during the follow-up period were also recorded. One-way ANOVA and T-test were used for statistical analysis. Results The mean overall fee charged for a root filling was approximately 332 Euro and differed only marginally (13 Euro) from the scheduled fee. The total mean fee for preservation of a root filled tooth was 717 Euro, which included the root canal treatment, the coronal restoration and any additional interventions during the follow-up period. The fees for indirectly restored root filled teeth were significantly higher (1,105 Euro) than for directly restored teeth (610 Euro), despite further additional treatment (P< 0.001). The mean fee for teeth which were subsequently extracted was higher (769 Euro) than for the retained teeth (711 Euro) (P< 0.001). Conclusions Fees charged by Swedish dentists for root canal treatment were in accordance with the scheduled fees. The overall mean fee was significantly higher for root filled teeth with indirect restorations than for teeth with direct coronal restorations. However, prospective clinical cost-effectiveness studies are needed to analyse the total costs. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Aim To (i) investigate the frequency and characteristics of pain and discomfort associated with root filled teeth in adult patients regularly attending the Public Dental Service in Orebro County, Sweden; (ii) assess the association between symptoms and clinical and radiographic findings; and (iii) explore the impact of pain and discomfort from root filled teeth on daily life. Methodology Patient records of adult patients (≥20 years) scheduled for routine check-ups in April 2015 were screened to identify individuals with root filled teeth; all patients with ≥1 root filled tooth were asked to participate. The examination comprised of clinical and radiographic examinations and questionnaires on general health, on pain symptoms from root filled teeth and on the impact of pain on daily activities. In a general estimating equation (GEE), examination findings and patient-related factors were independently analysed in relation to the outcome 'presence of pain'. Results In total, 550 patients with 1256 root filled teeth participated. Fifty-three patients (9.6%) experienced pain or discomfort from 62 (4.9%) root filled teeth. Lower age, percussion tenderness and apical tenderness were significantly associated with pain (P > 0.001 to P = 0.044). The average pain intensity was 2.1 on a (0-10) Numeric Rating Scale, and average duration was 28.4 months. The impact on daily life was low. Conclusions On average, pain associated with root filled teeth was of mild intensity, >2 years of duration and had low impact on daily life. Although the significantly associated clinical findings may indicate apical periodontitis as the most probable explanation in some teeth, the origin of pain from root filled teeth remains partly unexplained.

Aim To study patient- and tooth-specific characteristics of teeth indicated for root canal treatment, in the public dental service of the county of Vastra Gotaland, Sweden. Methodology During a designated 8-week period, general dental practitioners working at 20 different public dental clinics consecutively registered indications for undertaking root canal treatment. The patients' subjective level of pain was also registered (visual analogue scale) at the very first appointment. The following information was retrieved from computerized dental records and radiographs: gender, age, number of remaining teeth, tooth group, previous restoration, number of restored surfaces, dental caries and tooth substance loss. Gender and age were compared using both descriptive and analytical statistics. Results The material comprised 243 teeth in 243 patients: 128 (52.7%) women and 115 (47.3%) men, mean age 48.3 years. Molar teeth predominated (47.7%). Most of the teeth (83.5%) had previously been restored and exhibited significant loss of tooth substance, more than a third of the crown (71.3%). Dental caries was present in 127 teeth (62.9%). Dental trauma was implicated in only seven cases (2.9%). Initial treatment was frequently undertaken at an emergency visit, for relief of symptoms (64.9%). The most commonly registered indication was pulpal necrosis with apical periodontitis (38.1%), followed by pulpitis (37.7%). Retreatment of a root filled tooth was reported in 18 teeth (7.4%). Conclusions In the general Public Dental Service of Sweden, root canal treatment is most frequently undertaken in molars. The primary indication is relief of symptoms. Retreatment of root filled teeth is uncommon.