Abstract

Objective: The outcome of endodontic treatment is dependent on many factors, but the success of endodontic treatment depends primarily on the quality of the obturation. The objective of this research was to analyze the standard of obturation and to recognize the iatrogenic errors on periapical radiographs and also to equate between the caliber of endodontic treatment and procedural errors executed by male and female house officers.
Methodology: This was a retrospective study in which data of 350 treated root canal fillings radiographs along with their proforma showing demographic variables with the name of house officers who treated the patients were assessed. All 350 periapical radiographs were taken from a single institute Fatima Jinnah Dental College Karachi Pakistan from the year 2014-2016. All endodontic treatments were performed by house officers using crown down technique by hand instrumentation and for each tooth, three periapical radiographic images were assessed. Two calibrated investigators assessed the radiographs for quality and procedural errors. The sample size was calculated using the WHO Calculator and the results were evaluated using chi-square test. SPSS version 21 was used to analyze the results.
Result: Overall 122(35%) of radiographs were up to the acceptable quality as per quality parameters. Gouging and apical perforations were the most common procedural errors found on periapical radiographs. Overall male house officers have performed an acceptable degree of obturation. Chi-square analysis was used to assess the results.
Conclusion: Gouging and apical perforations were the most common procedural errors found on periapical radiographs. Overall male house officers have performed better quality of root canal filling in anterior, premolar and molar tooth and overall 122(35%) of radiographs were up to the acceptable quality as per quality parameters.

Key words: Procedural errors, radiographic quality, house officers, teaching institute