The influence of different factors on the survival of root canal fillings: a 10-year retrospective study

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the survival time of root canal fillings performed in 1990 and 1991 at the Dental School, Philipps University of Marburg, Germany. Data were collected retrospectively from the dental records and control radiographs were evaluated. The survival probability was determined by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Intergroup differences were verified with the log-rank test. The 914 evaluated root canal fillings yielded an overall 10-yr cumulative survival probability of 0.74. The factors baseline periapical condition (p < 0.001), length (p < 0.001), condensation (p < 0.001), vitality (p < 0.001), and pain symptoms (p = 0.005) were found to have a significant influence on the long-term success of root canal fillings. Higher survival rates were recorded for teeth with healthy periapical conditions, root canal fillings of the correct length, homogeneously condensed root canal fillings, root canal fillings in previously vital teeth, and teeth that had been asymptomatic during treatment. A nonsignificant influence was recorded for the parameters operator (p = 0.606) and retreatment (p = 0.196).