Frequency and Cause of Root Canal Treatment i n Patients Undergoing Orthodontic Treatment a t Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad. A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Orthodontic treatment can lead to various adverse effects, ranging from white lesions, caries periodontal damage, pain, and root resorption. Endodontists are primarily concerned about root resorption and periodontal/pulpal damage in orthodontic patients. The primary objective of this is to assess the frequency and reason for root canal treatment in patients going through orthodontic therapy in the defined population.

Material and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Dental Section, Ayub Medical College's Department of Orthodontics, which reviewed 180 orthodontic case files from 2019-2023. Inclusion criteria comprised patients aged 14 and above who consented to academic and research use. Excluded were those with prior orthodontic treatment, congenitally missing teeth, incomplete case records and those with systemic diseases. Data analysis involved demographic factors, tooth number, and indications for root canal treatment using SPSS 23 and chi-square tests (p<0.05) for significance.

Results: Among 180 patients, 112 were female (62.2%) and 68 were male (37.8%). 30% of patients received root canal treatment during orthodontics, while 70% did not. The most common cause for root canal treatment was pulpitis (51.85%), followed by necrosis (25.92%), with no statistically significant association between gender and root canal treatment receipt (p>0.639). However, there was a statistically significant relationship between the cause of root canal treatment and specific tooth numbers (p<0.046)

Conclusion: The study highlights that the mandibular first molar was the most common tooth to go under endodontic therapy and pulpitis was the cause for that, thereby emphasizing personalized dental care and early intervention.