Influence of the length of instrumentation and canal obturation on the success of endodontic therapy. A 10-year clinical follow-up

PURPOSE: To clinically test the periapical healing of the method of recurrent electronic root canal measurement and the method of root canal obturation by the guttapercha-eucapercha method. METHODS: During 10 years of endodontic practice of the first author, endodontic interventions were performed on approximately 4500 patients, aged 12-75 years. The success of therapy was followed-up in 257 teeth with diagnosis K04.0 to K04.5 (according to the X international classification of diseases) for whom a preoperative and control radiograph during the investigation period existed. Root canal preparation started with the "crown-down pressureless technique" and proceeded with the method of recurrent electronic root canal measurement. Obturation was done by the guttapercha-eucapercha method up to the apical constriction. RESULTS: The result of therapy success was approximately 95% overall (t-test, ANOVA); for the diagnosis: necrosis and pulp gangrene (K04.1): 64%; for the acute apical periodontitis (K04.4): 88%; for the inflamed pulp (K04.0) and pulp degeneration (K04.2) 95%; chronic apical periodontitis (K04.5): 98%, and abnormally formed hard tissue in the pulp (K04.3):100%.