A longitudinal study of changes in frequency and technical standard of endodontic treatment in a Swedish population.

Longitudinal studies of endodontic treatment are rare. The purpose of this investigation was to study changes in frequency, technical standard and treatment need in a Swedish population with an interval of 5-7 years. The number of endodontically treated teeth in the population increased while the number of periradicular radiolucencies was at about the same level at the second examination. The number of radiolucencies found in endodontically treated teeth was reduced while it was increased in untreated teeth. The number of root fillings ending less than or equal to 2 mm from the apex of the tooth as well as fillings with a proper seal had increased at the second examination, but still only 40.2% ended less than or equal to 2 mm from the apex of the tooth and 59.1% of the root fillings were judged to have a proper seal. It was concluded that a great need for endodontic treatment existed in the population examined. A slight improvement in the quality of the treatment was evident at the second examination. However, the technical standard was still poor and obviously affected the outcome of the treatment. It is the opinion of the authors that endodontic treatment methods should be simplified as much as possible in an effort to improve the technical quality of the treatment. The prognosis of endodontic treatment would then improve as well.