Prevalence of apical periodontitis relative to endodontic treatment in an adult Dutch population: a repeated cross-sectional study

We aimed to compare an Amsterdam subpopulation's current prevalence of root canal fillings and associated periapical radiolucencies with a similar patient sample from 1988. An Amsterdam subpopulation was evaluated for missing teeth, restorations, quality of endodontic treatment, and periapical radiolucency. A total of 178 radiographs were evaluated and 4594 teeth were examined. Of these, 324 (7%) exhibited widening of the apical periodontal ligament or periapical radiolucency and 224 (4.8%) had been endodontically treated. A total of 118 teeth (2.5%) had radiographic signs of apical periodontitis. Of these lesions, 54 (45.7%) were linked to endodontically treated teeth (24.1% of endodontically treated teeth). Inadequate root canal fillings were frequent (55.8%). Apical radiolucency was significantly higher in these teeth than in adequately root-filled teeth. Findings indicate that the periapical status in an Amsterdam subpopulation has not improved over almost 2 decades