The Influences of Root Canal Complexity and Clinician Training on Root Canal Treatment Outcomes.

Background and Study Aims. This observational cohort study evaluates root canal treatment outcomes, using survival and success as the outcome measures. It aims to assess the influence of operator skill and RIOTN complexity on the clinical outcomes of RCT procedures previously undertaken within the UK Armed Forces.

Participation UK Armed Forces personnel that had previously received root canal treatment between 01/01/2015 and 01/09/2020.

Method

A Defence Statistics programme was used to identify cohorts of patients treated for Endodontic disease by GDPs and DWSI (GDPs who had undertaken a 1 year post-graduate training programme in Endodontics). The researcher group was calibrated to the study's method and this was initially piloted on 5 patient records, with further calibration undertaken until researcher consistency was achieved via inter-operator reliability testing. The researchers subsequently reviewed 1600 patient records, eventually establishing a cohort of 1267 patients (580 - Group 1 (GDP) and 687 - Group 2 (DWSI). The clinical records and radiographs of these groups were reviewed for the following:

• Tooth survival 2. RIOTN complexity at the time of treatment 3. RCT success (apical healing). Secondary factors assessed included: age, gender, smoking status, diabetic status, steroid status, presence of an indirect restoration, presence of a post, reasons for tooth loss (if tooth did not survive).

The collection of data has now been completed and is ready for analysis.

Risks and Benefits This study will benefit Defence Primary HealthCare and UKAF personnel as it will influence and shape future care provision for Endodontic disease within the military. There are no identified risks of participation.

Study Location The study is being run from the Defence Centre for Rehabilitative Dentistry, Evelyn Woods Road, Aldershot, GU11 2LS. The study is evaluation the outcomes of clinical practitioners working within the 200+ Dental Centres within the UK and overseas locations.

Funding There is no established funding for this study. There are no commercial or other conflicts of interest.

Inclusion criteria

• Served/ were serving within the UK Armed Forces.
• Male and female.
• Physically able to tolerate root canal treatment/ re-treatment procedures.
• Received root canal treatment/ re-treatment for Endodontic disease by either a GDP or Dentist with Specialist interest (DWSI).
• Aged between 18 - 70..
• 12-month (or longer) post root canal treatment review radiograph and consultation.
• Smoking and non-smoking patients
• With and without Diabetes Mellitus 2
• Taking/ not-taking steroid medications
• With/ without other medical conditions.

Exclusion criteria

• On longer serving in the military within 12-months of root canal treatment completion.
• Unable to tolerate root canal treatment/ re-treatment
• No clinical follow-up of tooth (survival).
• No radiographic follow-up of tooth (success).