Prevalence of apical periodontitis and results of endodontic treatment in an adult, Portuguese population

The present epidemiological study is derived from a random sample of 322 residents of the Porto area, aged 30-39 years. Prevalence of apical periodontitis and results of endodontic treatment were evaluated from orthopantomograms, available from 179 of a total of 197 individuals attending for examination. The results indicated a prevalence of apical periodontitis in 27% of this population. The quality of a majority (54%) of the 69 root fillings observed were found to be inadequate, (i.e. short and/or poorly condensed), but only 15 (22%) of the endodontically treated teeth presented with apical periodontitis.