Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated to survival of endodontically treated teeth conducted by undergraduate dentistry students. Medellin (Colombia)

Abstract

Objective: To determine clinical and sociodemographic factors associated to survival of endodontically treated teeth. The present study was conducted by undergraduate students of the Faculty of Dentistry (Medellin, Colombia) during the period 2007-2011. Material and methods: Retrospective, longitudinal study with survival analysis through consultation with clinical histories according to inclusion criteria, and, further ahead, patient examination. Global survival was calculated with the use of KaplanMeier analysis, and curves were compared with log rank test. Cox proportional risk model was used for multivariate analysis, adjusted HR association was obtained with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Sociodemographic and clinical variables with statistically significant association were: education level, type of health affiliation, initial diagnosis and restoration type. Teeth remaining for three years after endodontic treatment were 78%, whereas 57% survived for over six years. Tooth survival mean in treated patients was 1,959 days (standard error: 66.9 days). Multivariate model showed that tooth loss speed was greater in multi-rooted teeth (HR 2.38, CI 95% 1.23-4.60) as well as in teeth with initial diagnosis of acute apical abscess (HR 27.96, CI 95%, 1.84-423.09). Conclusion: Clinical and sociodemographic factors were identified, associated to survival of endodontically treated teeth, this allowed to establish epidemiological monitoring systems in order to assess dental care quality.