Non-surgical root canal treatments in Public Dental Sector: characteristics of patients and teeth from 16-year register-based study

According to population-based studies, 25% of the adults are estimated to need root canal treatment (RCT). As public dental services (PDS) play a crucial role in providing dental care, register-based studies offer valuable research-based data on magnitude of RCTs and characteristics of teeth and adults receiving such treatments.ObjectiveThe objective of this retrospective register-based study was to assess the magnitude of non-surgical root canal treatments (nsRCTs) carried out in PDS of the City of Helsinki between 2002–2017, and to describe characteristics of teeth and adults receiving nsRCT.ResultsA total number of 166 218 teeth were identified with root canal treatment code. Of these, 81,4% had completed nsRCT, and 18,6% were uncompleted. Younger adults and women received more frequently nsRCTs, compared to their older counterparts and men, respectively (p < 0.001). At tooth level, molars and teeth in upper jaw received more nsRCTs, compared to anterior teeth or premolars and teeth in lower jaw (p < 0.001). Most of the nsRCTs were started as planned treatment, compared to teeth with emergency opening, and were performed by general dentists (p < 0.001).ConclusionOur study offers wide picture of magnitude of nsRCTs carried out in Helsinki PDS. The nsRCTs carried out in public health sector differed by sex, age, tooth type and operator. These results could be used in improving cost-effective treatment planning and development of the strategies regarding treatment path at PDS.