NG 2007
NG 2007
REVIEW
2007 International Endodontic Journal International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 921
Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1 Ng et al.
would be desirable to standardize aspects of study Keywords: outcome, root canal treatment, success,
design, data recording and presentation format of systematic review.
outcome data in the much needed future outcome
Received 27 March 2007; accepted 6 July 2007
studies.
922 International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 2007 International Endodontic Journal
Ng et al. Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1
searching abstracts and conference proceedings. Per- Meta-regression models (Thompson & Higgins 2002)
sonal contacts were also used to identify ongoing or were used to explore the potential sources of statistical
unpublished studies. Full articles were obtained for all heterogeneity and to assess the effect of factors on
relevant titles identified through either electronic or estimating the pooled success rate. Factors related with
other search methods. study characteristics considered in the meta-regression
analyses as covariates (and their sub-categories) were:
decade of publication, study specific criteria (radio-
Study selection, quality assessment and data
graphic, combined radiographical & clinical) for suc-
extraction
cess, unit of outcome measure (tooth and root),
Three reviewers (Y-LN, SR and KG) independently duration after treatment when assessing success (at
assessed and selected the studies based on the following least 4 years or <4 years), geographical location of
inclusion criteria: the study (North American, Scandinavian and other
1. Clinical study on primary root canal treatment. countries), qualification of the operator (undergraduate
2. Stratified analysis of primary root canal treatment students, postgraduate students, general dental practi-
available, if root canal re-treatment cases had been tioners (GDP), specialist or mixed group). If either the
included. estimated proportion of total variation because of
3. Sample size given. heterogeneity across studies (I2) or the estimated
4. At least 6-month postoperative review. between-study variance (s2) from the meta-regression
5. Success based on clinical and/or radiographic model without covariate in the model was reduced
(strict, absence of apical radiolucency; loose, reduction substantially (>10%) when a covariate was included
in size of radiolucency) criteria. into the model, the respective covariate was considered
6. Overall success rate given or could be calculated to be a potential source of heterogeneity.
from the raw data.
7. Presentations in English, German, Chinese and
Results
Japanese languages were accepted.
Disagreements on study inclusion were resolved by A total of 119 papers were identified in the initial
discussion. The reasons for study rejection at this or search, 51 articles were excluded for the reasons given
subsequent stages were recorded. in Table 1. Some papers presented different parts of the
Data were extracted by all three reviewers indepen- same study, so their data were combined for analyses in
dently using custom-designed data collection forms. this review: (i) Heling & Tamshe (1970, 1971); (ii)
The data collection form was piloted on several papers Barbakow et al. (1980a,b, 1981); (iii) Morse et al.
and modified for optimal utility before final use. The (1983a,b,c); (iv) rstavik et al. (1987) & Eriksen et al.
data extracted could be classified into six groups; (1988). Conversely, Kerekes (1978) presented two
success rates, study characteristics, demographic data separate data sets in their paper, and were therefore
of patients, pre-, intra- and postoperative factors. Any considered as two separate studies in this review. As a
disagreement was discussed and data were excluded if result, 63 studies fulfilling the inclusion criteria were
agreement could not be reached. selected for this review. The year of publication of the
selected studies ranged from 1922 to 2002 with the
highest number of studies published in the 1980s
Estimation of pooled success rates
(n 16) (Table 2).
stata version 9.2 statistical software (StataCorp, College Each reviewer had entered 174 data points per
Station, TX, USA) was used to perform all statistical selected study and the initial agreements amongst the
analyses. Un-weighted pooled success rate by each factor three reviewers were moderate (j 0.570.61). As
was calculated by dividing the total number of successful per protocol, following discussion about any disagree-
units with the total number of units within the respective ments, there was 100% concurrence on used data.
category (according to Hepworth & Friedman 1997). In
addition, the weighted pooled success rates were esti-
Methodological characteristics of included studies
mated using random effects meta-analysis with DerSi-
monian and Lairds methods (DerSimonian & Laird Of the 63 studies included in this review, six were RCTs
1986). Statistical heterogeneity amongst the studies was (Table 2). Others were cohort studies (n 8) or
assessed by Cochrans (Q) test (Cochran 1954). retrospective observational studies (n 49). Although
2007 International Endodontic Journal International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 923
Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1 Ng et al.
Article Inclusion criteria (16) not fulfilled or other reasons for exclusion
1
Grove (1921) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
3
Hinman (1921) Sample size given
6
Overall success rate given or could be calculated
1
Grove (1923) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
6
Coolidge (1926) Overall success rate given or could be calculated
4
Rhein et al. (1926) At least 6-month postoperative review
3
Puterbaugh (1926) Sample size given
6
Overall success rate given or could be calculated
1
Hall (1928) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
4
Appleton (1932) At least 6-month postoperative review
2
Buchbinder (1936) Stratified analysis available
6
Macphee (1936) Overall success rate given or could be calculated
2
Strindberg (1956) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
2
Frostell (1963) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
1
Nichols (1963) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
2
Grossman et al. (1964) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
2
Engstrom et al. (1964) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
2
Ingle et al. (1965) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
1
Curson (1966) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
5
Oliet & Sorin (1969) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
2
Storms (1969) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
5
Ratliff (1973) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
2
Cvek et al. (1976) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
Adenubi (1978) Same data set as Adenubi & Rule (1976)
1
Taintor et al. (1978) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
2
Vernieks & Messer (1978) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
2
Kerekes & Tronstad (1979) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
1
Markitziu & Heling (1981) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
2
Hession (1981) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
Thoden van Velzen et al. (1981) Same data set as Kerekes & Tronstad (1979)
5
Ashkenaz (1984) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
5
Seto et al. (1985) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
6
rstavik et al. (1986) Overall success rate given or could be calculated
2
Teo et al. (1986) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
1
Kullendorff et al. (1988) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
2
Molven & Halse (1988) Stratified analysis of one RCT available
Same data set as Halse & Molven (1987)
4
Augsburger & Peters (1990) At least 6-month postoperative review
5
Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
1
Stabholz (1990) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
5
Wong et al. (1992) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
6
rstavik & Horsted-Bindslev (1993) Overall success rate given or could be calculated
4
Gutknecht et al. (1996) At least 6-month postoperative review
1
Friedman (1997) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
1
Ricucci & Langeland (1997) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
1
Weine & Buchanan (1997) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
5
Shi et al. (1997) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
1
Weiger et al. (1998) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
5
Caplan & White (2001) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
1
Oliver & Abbott (2001) Clinical study for primary root canal treatment
6
Waltimo et al. (2001) Overall success rate given or could be calculated
5
Lazarski et al. (2001) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
5
Lynch et al. (2002) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
5
Caplan et al. (2002) Success based on clinical and/or radiographic criteria
4
Murakami et al. (2002) At least 6-month postoperative review
924 International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 2007 International Endodontic Journal
Ng et al. Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1
nine studies (Grahnen & Hansen 1961, Storms 1969, presented the success rates stratified by both strict and
Selden 1974, Heling & Kischinovsky 1979, Pekruhn loose criteria.
1986, Sjogren et al. 1990, Friedman et al. 1995, After combining the data from the two examination
Chugal et al. 2001, Hoskinson et al. 2002) had included methods, the pooled success rates estimated by meta-
previously root-filled teeth in their sample, they had analyses were 74.7% (95% CI: 69.879.5%) from 40
provided stratified analysis for primary treatment. studies using strict radiographic criteria and 85.2%
The recall rates (percentage of patients attending for (95% CI: 82.288.3%) from 36 studies using loose
follow-up after treatment) were reported by 39 studies radiographic criteria. The estimated success rates by
and ranged from 11% to 100% with a median of individual studies as well as the weighted pooled
52.7%. Either root (27 studies) or tooth (36 studies) success rates by the two radiographic criteria are
was used as the unit of outcome measure. The sample presented as Forrest plots in Figs 1 and 2. Meta-
sizes ranged from 22 to 2921 teeth or 38 to 2921 regression analyses showed the reported success rates
roots; some studies only included single-rooted teeth, based on strict radiographic criteria were 10.5%
hence the number of teeth and roots were the same. (4.416.7%, P 0.001) lower than the success rates
The treatment outcome was determined by radio- based on loose radiographic criteria. The radiographic
graphic examination alone (27 studies) or in combi- criteria were also found to be responsible for part of the
nation with clinical findings (36 studies) (Table 2). statistical heterogeneity, therefore the estimated suc-
Different radiographic criteria of success have been cess rates by individual factors were calculated sepa-
used and these were divided into: strict (complete rately for data based on the use of strict or loose
resolution of peri-apical lesion at recall) or loose criteria.
(reduction in size of existing peri-apical lesion at recall).
For the radiographic assessment of the outcome of Duration after treatment completion
treatment, only 19 studies (Table 2) employed at least Most studies did not standardize the duration after
two observers to carry out the assessment. Observer(s) treatment completion when the outcomes were
were calibrated prior to evaluation of radiographs in reviewed, which ranged from 6 months to 30 years.
eight studies and intra- or inter-observer reliability tests Only 15 studies (Table 2) followed-up all the cases for
were carried out in nine studies (Table 2). at least 4 years. Attempts to pool data on success rates
Different studies have evaluated the influence of a by different follow-up durations are confounded by the
range of different clinical prognostic factors on outcome relatively small study numbers in some groups and
but the combinations of factors reported vary (Table 3). may have produced distorted results. When strict
The statistical methods used for analysing the associa- criteria were used, the pooled success rates increased
tion between potential influencing factors and treatment with longer follow-ups; the substantial increases were
outcome were the chi-square test (31 studies), relative between 6 and 12 months and between 24 and
incidence distribution (two studies), logistical regression 36 months after treatment (Table 4). However, there
models (three studies), anova (two studies), survival was no obvious trend in success rate by duration after
analysis (one study) and logistic regression models using treatment when loose criteria were used.
generalized estimating equations (one study) (Table 2).
Twenty-three studies did not analyse the data statisti- Year of publication
cally or did not present such information. The pooled success rates based on loose outcome
criteria for each decade since the 1920s appeared to be
similar with the highest pooled success rate at 88.2%
Success rates by study characteristics
during the 1980s (Table 4). However, the pooled
Outcome measure used success rates based on strict outcome criteria for
The reported success rates of root canal treatment studies published during 1960s (79.7%) and 1970s
ranged from 31% to 96% based on strict criteria and (79.0%) were the highest. More importantly, the
from 60% to 100% based on loose criteria. The expected trend of progressively increasing success rates
weighted pooled success rates from studies using strict over the last century was clearly not in evidence.
criteria (data available from 40 studies) were about
10% lower than those from studies using loose criteria Geographical location of study
(data available from 38 studies) regardless of exami- About one-third of the studies were carried out in the
nation method used (Table 4). Some studies (n 14) USA or Canada (24 studies) and the rest were carried
2007 International Endodontic Journal International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 925
926
Table 2 Study characteristics
4 year
d
Geographic Recall follow-up Radiographic 2
a b c e
location of Study rate after Unit of Sample Assessment criteria radiographic Reliability Statistical
Author (year) study design (%) treatment measure size of success of success observers Calibration test analysis
927
928
Table 3 Clinical prognostic factors included in studies
Gender
Age
Health
Tooth type
Pulpal status
Periapical status
Lesion size
Rubber dam
Obstruction
Apical size
Canal taper
Irrigant
Medicament
Culture test
RF material technique
Sealer
RF extent
Quality of RF
Acute flare up
Apical disturbance
Visits of treatment
Restoration
Abutment
Author (year)
4 4 4 4
Blayney (1922)
4 4 4
Auerbach (1938)
4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Buchbinder (1941)
4 4 4 4 4 4
Morse & Yates (1941)
4 4 4 4
Castagnola & Orlay (1952)
4 4 4 4 4 4
929
930
Table 4 Estimated success rates by study characteristics
out in Scandinavian (15 studies, Sweden/Norway) or Switzerland (one study), Australia (one study), Ger-
other countries (24 studies) including: UK (eight many (one study), Hong Kong (one study), India (one
studies), Israel (four studies), Holland (two studies), study), Italy (one study), Japan (one study), Saudi
2007 International Endodontic Journal International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 931
Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1 Ng et al.
Arabia (one study), South Africa (one study) and Table 5 Results of meta-regression analysis to account for the
Turkey (one study) (Table 2). The studies performed in source of heterogeneity
the North American countries reported the treatment Strict Loose
outcome data more frequently based on loose radio- Covariate included I 2
s 2
I2 s2
graphic criteria than on strict criteria. In contrast, most
No. covariate 0.985 0.0247 0.973 0.0085
of the outcome data from the Scandinavian countries
included
were based on strict rather than loose criteria. Based on Year of publication 0.983 0.0265 0.971 0.0098
the loose criteria, the pooled estimate of success rate of (before 1970s, 19701989,
treatment carried out in Scandinavian countries 19902002)
(70.3%) was much lower than for those in North Geographical 0.984 0.0244 0.952 0.0069
location of study
American (88.1%) or other (84.5%) countries; how-
(USA, Scandinavian
ever, the pooled estimate for the Scandinavian coun- or other countries)
tries, only consisted of two studies. In stark contrast, Unit of measure 0.984 0.0253 0.961 0.0081
the pooled estimate of success rate from outcome data (root or tooth)
based on strict criteria from the Scandinavian countries Qualification of operator 0.979 0.0209 0.974 0.0073
(specialist, postgraduate,
(80.5%) was the highest (Table 4).
undergraduate, GDP or
mixed group)
Qualification of operators (undergraduate, postgraduate, Criteria for success 0.986 0.0254 0.974 0.0088
GDP and specialist) (radiographic vs. combined
Only two studies compared the outcome of root canal radiographic & clinical)
Duration after treatment 0.985 0.0228 0.973 0.0085
treatment by qualification of operators. Ingle et al.
(at least 4 years or shorter)
(1965) (a study excluded from this review; Table 1), Recall rate 0.986 0.0218 0.975 0.0117
found no significant difference in success rates of 2
GDP, general dental practitioners; I , proportion of total varia-
treatment carried out by undergraduates or private tion due to heterogeneity across studies; s2, estimate of
practitioners, in agreement with Cheung (2002) who between-study variance (if the I 2 and s2 values were reduced
reported the qualification and experience of operator by 10% after including a covariate in the regression model as
compared with the values estimated without any covariates
had no influence on treatment outcome. entered, the respective covariate was considered to be a
The majority of the reviewed studies classified potential source of heterogeneity).
operator qualification as: undergraduate students (21
studies), GDP (seven studies), postgraduate students
(four studies) or specialists (23 studies). In five studies,
Discussion
treatment was carried out by a mixed group of
operators and three studies did not provide this Most of the selected studies were prospective cohort or
information. From the results, treatment carried out retrospective studies, therefore the levels of evidence
by postgraduate students and specialists had the provided by them are grade B (levels 2 or 3) based on
highest weighted pooled estimate of success, regardless the criteria given by the Oxford centre for evidence-
of strict or loose criteria (Table 4). based medicine (Phillips et al. 1998 http://www.cebm.
net/index.aspx?0=1025). There were only six random-
ized trials investigating different aspects of root canal
Source of heterogeneity
treatment procedures on outcomes, including
As the radiographic criteria for success have already the effects of sealers (AH26 [DeTrey AG, Zurich,
been shown to have a significant effect on the pooled Switzerland]; Procosol [Star Dental, Conshohocken,
success rates, further meta-regression analyses were PA, USA], Kloropercha) (rstavik et al. 1987); root
therefore carried out, separately on success rates based filling materials (Hydron [Hydron Technologies,
on strict or loose criteria, to explore which of the other Pompano Beach, FL, USA], gutta-percha with AH26
study characteristics were potentially responsible for sealer) (Reid et al. 1992); single-visit versus multiple-
the statistical heterogeneity. None had significant visit root canal treatment (Trope et al. 1999, Weiger
effects on the success rates reported by the studies or et al. 2000, Peters & Wesselink 2002); use of Ca(OH)2
could account for the heterogeneity (Table 5) in dressing versus no medicament in multiple-visit treat-
estimating the pooled success rate of primary root ment (Trope et al. 1999); and the use of stainless steel
canal treatment. versus nickeltitanium hand files (Pettiette et al. 2001).
932 International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 2007 International Endodontic Journal
Ng et al. Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1
The Cochrane Oral Health groups current guidelines cases, the source of errors were easily identified and
for a systematic review states that the scope of the corrected.
review is to include all RCTs, where RCTs are inappro- The un-weighted pooled success rate by each factor
priate, rather than unavailable, other levels of evidence was calculated based on the approach used by Hep-
may be considered (http://www.ohg.cochrane.org/ worth & Friedman (1997). However, this approach
forms/writing_review.pdf September 2006). However, does not take into consideration, the within and
the authors decided that the numerous observational between study variations as opposed to the study
studies, whilst not having the feature of randomization design-specific weighted pooled success rates estimated
or control groups, represented useful and useable data using random effects meta-analysis. The discrepancies
that could not be deemed inferior by any other criteria. in the success rates estimated using the two approaches
Instead of using exclusion rules to control the heter- are well demonstrated in Table 4. Therefore, the results
ogeneity of design, this systematic review followed the based on the un-weighted pooled success rates were not
recommendation by Stroup et al. (2000). Broad inclu- considered in the following discussions. The estimation
sion criteria for studies were used and analyses were of pooled success rates for some sub-group analyses
performed to investigate the effect of study character- within some study characteristics were based on small
istics on the estimated pooled success rates. Despite data sets, restricting their value.
using broad inclusion criteria, several well designed The significant difference in success rates judged by
and executed studies such as those by Strindberg strict or loose radiographic criteria has already been
(1956), rstavik and Horsted-Bindslev (1993); rsta- iterated but in addition, the data based on strict criteria
vik et al. (1986) and others (Table 1) had to be revealed a clear trend for differences in the pooled
excluded. success rates from studies adopting different follow-up
The goal was to explore the available data and durations; for example, 6 month follow-up compared
partition it to reveal the effect of study characteristics, with longer duration. It should be mandatory to state
general patient factors, individual pre-, intra-, and the criteria for success as part of the methodology of
postoperative factors on treatment outcome, whilst future clinical root canal treatment outcome studies,
triangulating the outcomes of different approaches of preferably stratified by both loose and strict radio-
exploration. graphic criteria. The European Society of Endodontol-
Preliminary data collection was carried out by ogys (2006) suggest a clinical and radiographic
two authors (Y-LN and KG) to explore its diversity. follow-up after at least 1 year with annual recall for
Amongst the studies reviewed, there were substantial up to 4 years before a case is judged a failure. The
variations in study characteristics such as sample American Association of Endodontists suggests clinical
selection, definition of successful cases, duration after and radiographic evaluation for a 4- to 5-year period,
treatment, type and strategy of data collection as with the additional proviso of determining the func-
well as data analyses. Some of the potential clinical tionality of the treated tooth (http://www.aae.org/
prognostic factors (tooth type, age grouping, size dentalpro/guidelines.htm). The origin of this is proba-
of apical preparation, definition of apical disturbance, bly based on the work of Strindberg (1956). From a
apical extent of root filling, quality of root filling research perspective and based on this review, the cases
and quality of coronal restoration) were sub-classified should be reviewed for a minimum of 1 year and
differently between studies. Therefore, a strategy preferably for at least 3 years, after completion of
for pooling the data by recalculation of the avail- treatment. It would be preferable to standardize the
able figures was derived. Based on this strategy, a duration after treatment for all the patients or at least
data collection form was designed, tested, refined to include the duration as a covariate into the statistical
and adopted. Despite this, disagreement amongst model to account for any variations in the success rate
the reviewers existed (j 0.570.61). The disagree- because of the different follow-up times. The best choice
ment could be traced to a lack of clarity in the of statistical analysis would be to analyse time to
presentation of methodology and results. For healing (success) with survival analysis techniques,
some studies, data had to be extracted from the however, it would require regular follow-up of all
discussion section where it was sometimes first patients. The reality is that the longer the duration of
introduced. When there was a disagreement, an follow-up after treatment, the greater the drop-out rate
agreement was negotiated between the examiners by at recall. Therefore, a balance has to be struck between
presenting the case for each view. In the majority of these competing ideals in both the medical and dental
2007 International Endodontic Journal International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 933
Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1 Ng et al.
fields, although the use of financial incentives may help more, the adoption of strict radiographic criteria and
improve recall rates (Wang et al. 2004). microbiological awareness in their approach appeared
This review also highlighted two important method- to bring better results in studies performed in the
ological shortcomings in published root canal treat- Scandinavian countries. This speculation is important
ment outcome studies. The variability in radiographic because it centres around the debates that raged in the
assessment because of subjectivity in radiograph read- 1960s and 1970s about the value of the microbial
ing is well recognized (Goldman et al. 1972), yet the culture test in informing the progress of treatment, a
good practice of employing at least two pre-calibrated practice, long as abandoned as unnecessary (Engstrom
observers with intra- & inter-observer agreement tests, et al. 1964, Mikkelsen & Theilade 1969, Oliet & Sorin
was not adopted by most of the studies (n 56). In 1969, Morse 1971, Sims 1973, Frank et al. 1978,
addition, the statistical methods used for analysing the Molander et al. 1996a,b). This ultimately led to the
association between potential influencing factors and adoption of single-visit treatment by many endodontists
treatment outcome, did not take account of the effects on the basis of the cost-benefit analysis (Spangberg
of potential confounders. 2001) an issue that will be explored further in the
The overall success rates were not affected by year of second part. The historical importance of this biological
publication or geographic location of study. In the versus technical debate is important to appreciate,
former category, the measure of relevance should really because it fundamentally changed the way root canal
be the year in which treatment was carried out but treatment was conceived and practiced; from a micro-
few studies provide this information. Nevertheless, the bially aware post-focal infection era, to one dominated
absence of obvious improvement in success rates by the by a technological awareness but relative microbiolog-
year of publication suggests that the advances in ical ignorance. The problem of geographical location
technology and materials used for root canal treatment also merits close inspection, as sometimes, a single
do not appear to have influenced treatment outcome study may report pooled data from multi-centre eval-
significantly. Such a suggestion is strongly refuted by uations (Friedman et al. 1995).
endodontists on the grounds that the apparent lack of Although the educational and experience back-
improvement in success rates is a function of more ground of the operators had no significant influence
adventurous case selection fuelled by confidence in on their respective success rates in individual studies,
better skills and outcomes. The validity of this propo- the estimated pooled success rates for endodontists or
sition is explored further in the second part. For the postgraduates were higher than for other dentist
present, it is argued that the lack of improvement in groups in this review. The important influence of the
success rates could be attributed to the fact that, whilst background of operators on the technical outcome of
technology has improved instruments and materials to endodontic procedures has been demonstrated in lab-
achieve a set of goals, the principles underpinning oratory studies (Gulabivala et al. 2000, Van Zyl et al.
those goals have not changed over the duration 2005) but there is a lack of appropriate tools or
covered by this review (Hall 1928). This brings to the methodology to objectively quantify operator skills. The
fore, the classic debate about the relative value of role of such refined technical skills must surely be
biological versus the technical principles in dentistry balanced against the overall understanding of the
(Noyes 1922, Naidorf 1972). Noyes (1922) lamented problem and the motivation and integrity with which
that dentists were not trained to think in biological the procedure is performed.
concepts but to act in mechanical procedures; whilst
Naidorf (1972) applauding the technical excellence
Conclusion
achieved by the pre-occupation of dentists with this
element, deplored the lack of biological awareness of The estimated weighted pooled success rates of treat-
the basic pathology of the problem or the biological ments completed at least 1 year previously, ranged
consequences of the treatment. The clinical academics between 68% and 85% when strict criteria were used.
in this discipline would probably sustain the validity of The reported success rates have failed to improve over
these assertions, even today. It is interesting to note the last four or five decades. The quality of evidence for
that the success rates of studies from the North treatment factors affecting primary root canal treat-
American countries, where the use of contemporary ment outcome is sub-optimal; there was substantial
technology is probably most widely recommended fared variation in the studydesigns. It would be desirable to
no better than those from other countries. Further- standardize aspects of studydesign, data recording and
934 International Endodontic Journal, 40, 921939, 2007 2007 International Endodontic Journal
Ng et al. Outcome of primary root canal treatment Part 1
presentation format of outcome data in the much Benenati FW, Khajotia SS (2002) A radiographic recall
needed future outcome studies. The second part of this evaluation of 894 endodontic cases treated in a dental
paper will present the results of meta-analyses and school setting. Journal of Endodontics 28, 3915.
meta-regression to investigate the effect of individual Blayney JR (1922) The clinical results of pulp treatment.
Journal of National Dental Association 16, 198208.
clinical factors on the success rates of primary root
Boggia R (1983) A single-visit treatment of septic root canals
canal treatment.
using periapically extruded endomethasone. British Dental
Journal 155, 3005.
Acknowledgement Buchbinder M (1936) A statistical study of root-canal therapy.
The Dental Cosmos 78, 206.
The authors acknowledge the mentorship provided by Buchbinder M (1941) A statistical comparison of cultured and
Professor Mark Gilthorpe of the University of Leeds non-cultured root canal cases. Journal of Dental Research 2,
(previously based at the Eastman Dental Institute) 936.
during the early stages of this project. Bystrom A, Happonen RP, Sjogren U, Sundqvist G (1987)
Healing of periapical lesion of pulpless teeth after endodontic
treatment with controlled asepsis. Endodontics & Dental
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