Background: Epidemiologic surveys consistently show that the
technical quality of root fillings is strongly associated with periapical
status at the population level, underscoring obturation quality as a key
determinant of treatment outcome.
Aim: The study aimed to assess the radiographic quality of
root canal obturation performed by undergraduate dental students at the College
of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, focusing on obturation
length, taper, and density.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective review,
intraoral periapical (IOPA) radiographs from 400 root canal–treated teeth
managed by 4th- and 5th-year students (2016–2018) were evaluated in 2019 by an
experienced endodontist. Straight (head-on) and shift/SLOB views were used when
required. Technical quality was classified for length
(adequate/underfilled/overfilled), taper (adequately
tapered/irregular–anomalous), and density (homogeneous/irregular with voids)
using predefined criteria. Associations with year of study and tooth group
(anterior, premolar, molar) were analysed using the Chi-square test (α = 0.05).
Results: A total of 400 completed root canal treatments met
the eligibility criteria and were included in the analysis. Of these, 149 cases
were treated by 4th-year students and 251 by 5th-year students. By tooth group,
the sample comprised 143 anterior teeth (35.8%), 70 premolars (17.5%), and 187
molars (46.8%). For patients treated by fourth-year BDS students, 63.5%
demonstrated adequate obturation, whereas 36.5% exhibited deficiencies related
to obturation quality. In contrast, patients treated by fifth-year BDS students
demonstrated adequate obturation in 71.0% of cases, with 29.0% categorised as
inadequate. A statistically significant difference was observed in the length
of root canal obturation (P = 0.001). Additionally, the frequency of adequate
obturation was significantly higher in anterior teeth than in premolars and
molars.
Conclusion: 5th-year students demonstrated better control of
length and fill density, whereas 4th-year students achieved a higher proportion
of adequate taper, particularly in simpler cases. Technical deficiencies
clustered in molars, with underfilling and intra-fill voids being most common.
Targeted simulation on multi-rooted/curved canals, reinforced protocols for
working-length determination and cone fitting, and close chairside supervision
are likely to improve outcomes.
Clinical Significance: Routine radiographic audit of student
cases pinpoints teachable gaps—especially for molars—guiding curricular
refinements that elevate the technical quality of undergraduate endodontics.
Author(s) Details
Mohammed Mustafa
Department of Conservative Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince
Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msup/v2/6650
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