An in Vivo Evaluation of Clinical Success and Longevity of Apicoectomy Procedure in Failed Root Canal Therapies: An Original Research Study

Abstract

Background & Aim: Apicoectomy procedure is highly recommended when conventional endodontic therapies are failed and re-rct is not advisable. Apicoectomy if performed accurately can prevent loss of teeth which would otherwise liable for extraction. In this paper (in-vivo study), authors aimed to evaluate the clinical success and longevity of apicoectomy procedure in failed root canal therapies.

Materials and Methods: This clinical study was conducted on total 40 patients (both male and female) who have undergone for apicoectomy procedure at the designated dental clinics of the city. Only single rooted teeth were chosen in the study. Local anesthesia administration was done in all cases to control intra-operative pain. The tip of the root and any infected tissues were detached and sealed with a small restoration/filling. Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) was used at all centers as root end filling material in all patients/tooth. Clinical success and longevity of apicoectomy procedure was noted at first 6 month, 12 months, 18 months timings. Results thus obtained was compiled and sent for necessary statistical analysis. P value less than 0.05 was considered as significant (p< 0.05).

Statistical Analysis and Results: All statistical evaluation was completed using statistical software SPSS. Maximum 16 patients were noticed in the age range of 25-29 years. P value was highly significant here (0.01). Minimum 3 patients were found in the age range of 40-44 years. Total 23 male and 17 female patients were studied specifically. After 6 month of apicoectomy procedure, total 36 cases showed satisfactory responses to the apicoectomy procedure. P value was highly significant here (0.01). After 12 month of apicoectomy procedure, total 32 cases showed satisfactory responses to the apicoectomy procedure. After 18 month of apicoectomy procedure, total 28 cases showed satisfactory responses to the apicoectomy procedure. Evaluation amongst all 3 studied timings using one-way ANOVA revealed highly significant difference and p value (0.002).

Conclusion: Within the limitations of the study authors concluded that with the increasing post operative timing, there was clear fall of success rate and related longevity of apicoectomy procedure. There was clear drop of clinical success (up to 20-25%) of apicoectomy procedure from 6 months to 18 months post operatively. Nevertheless; authors assume few large scale future studies to be conducted in these perspectives.