Posttreatment endodontic disease among patients seeking treatment at a referral dental hospital in Kenya

Background: The incidence of postendodontic treatment disease has equally increased in prevalence among patients with previous root-treated teeth. Objective: This study aimed at determining the characteristics of post-treatment disease following endodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling was used to select periapical radiographs of patients who needed treatment of teeth with previous root canal treatment. Data were analysed using SPSS. Study Benefits: This research will aid in the development of realistic, evidence-based oral health care policies that could be integrated into general health care within the region. Results: A total of 42 patients participated in the study with 54 teeth presenting with posttreatment endodontic disease (PTEDx). The ages of most patients were distributed in the range of 31–40 years with maxillary molars (25.9%) being the most commonly affected teeth. Thirty-nine (72.2%) teeth were asymptomatic, whereas 15 (27.8%) were associated with pain of varying severity. Well-defined radiolucent lesions were present in 59.3% of the cases, whereas 74.1% of the teeth presented with voids. Inadequate root-filling length (79.6%) appeared to be the most common characteristic of PTEDx. Conclusion: Posttreatment disease in this sample presented with the comparatively high substandard technical quality of root fillings and restorations. Recommendations: Academic institutions teaching dentistry and related authorities should collaborate managing this problem of posttreatment disease judiciously. Technical skills, technology, and performance of root canal filling procedures should be emphasized, and suitable methods should be developed in order to achieve better treatment outcomes. Further studies should be done to establish the challenges that lead to substandard root canal treatment.