Technical quality of root-filled teeth performed by undergraduate students at UiTs student clinic

Abstract

This retrospective study aims to evaluate the technical quality of root fillings performed at the UiT student clinic between 2011 and 2021, and reveal factors influencing the quality.

The sample consisted of 474 periapical radiographs of endodontically treated teeth. All cases were treated by 4th and 5th year undergraduate students at UTK, from 2011 to 2021. Each root was independently evaluated in multirooted teeth, but the tooth was considered one unit when categorized. The evaluation was based on length and density of the root canal filling. The presence of iatrogenic errors was also recorded. Cohen’s kappa was used to measure the inter-examiner agreement. Frequency comparisons were calculated using Chi-square test.

The results show that 72,4% of the evaluated teeth had a complete root filling. Number of canals and treatment sessions, presence of curved canals and the tooth position in the dental arch (posterior vs. anterior) significantly affected the technical quality. Iatrogenic mistakes were found in 20,9% of the sample, with ledge accounting for more than half (56,6%).

Overall, the technical quality of root fillings performed by undergraduate students at UiT was satisfactory.