Frequency of Procedural Errors during Root Canal Treatment Performed by Interns
Syed Ajlal Akhtar
Faculty of Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College & Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Fahad Ata Siddiqui
Faculty of Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College & Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Abu Bakar Sheikh
Faculty of Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College & Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Saqib Rashid
Faculty of Dentistry, Fatima Jinnah Dental College & Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Zohaib Khurshid *
Department of Biomaterials, School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham, UK
Shariq Najeeb
Restorative Dental Sciences, Al-Farabi Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Muhammad Sohail Zafar
College of Dentistry, Taibah University, Madina Munnawarrah, Saudi Arabia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: Chemo-mechanical preparation continues to be one of the most challenging steps in root canal treatment procedures. The aim of this study was to examine the frequency of procedural errors during root canal treatment performed by interns.
Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study.
Methodology: A total of 200 patients scheduled for root canal treatment in the permanent first molar were selected and pre-operative radiographs were taken before the procedure. After achieving a straight line access, the interns performed conventional step back technique to prepare the canals and irrigation was done using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution. After completion of the instrumentation procedure, two experienced endodontists evaluated the cases both clinically and radiographically.
Results: Results showed that a total of 78 (39%) cases received procedural errors, and the remaining cases received appropriate instrumentation procedures. Apical Transportation (12%) presented the highest percentage for procedural errors followed by ledge formation (10%), strip perforation (5%), apical perforation (5%), instrument separation (4%) and perforation during access (3%).
Conclusion: The present study suggests a high frequency of procedural errors 39% in all cases performed by interns. This reflects the amount of clinical knowledge and skill possessed and applied by operator during the course of the treatment.
Keywords: Procedural errors, radiographs, interns, endodontic training