Background
Repeated cross-sectional studies of the same population reported that many root-filled teeth with apical radiolucency at baseline of the investigation were left untreated. Therefore, it would be of great value to have increased knowledge about the frequency and impact of pain from root-filled teeth with apical periodontitis.
Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of pain and discomfort associated with root-filled teeth. A further aim was to examine if there was an association between pain symptoms and periapical status represented by apical radiolucency in radiographs.
Study design and participants
This is a cross-sectional study of adult patients regularly attending the public dental health in the region of Örebro County in Sweden. Through a screening of available digital radiographs of all adult patients scheduled for regular check-up in April 2015, patients suspected of having at least one root-filled tooth were identified and invited to participate.
Results
Of patients with at least one root-filled tooth and regularly attending dental-care in the public dental health service in the region of Örebro County, 9.2% experience pain from at least one of their root-filled teeth. The pain was statistically significantly associated with the presence of apical radiolucency (p=0.004), sinus-tract (p=0.024) and swelling at the tooth (p<0.001).
Conclusion
One out of ten adult patients with root-filled teeth has symptoms from at least one root-filled tooth and 21.6% of root-filled teeth display apical radiolucency. Patients with root-filled teeth should be asked if they have pain or discomfort from the teeth and root-filled teeth with apical radiolucency ought to be followed up with radiographs and retreated if needed.