OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to radiographically examine the endodontic treatment performed by final year undergraduate students and interns.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Post-obturation periapical radiographs of teeth(n=120) were randomly selected for evaluation. The root canal treatment was performed by final year students under supervision (sixty teeth) and interns (sixty teeth) at FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry, Lahore. The criteria for assessment of the quality of root canal obturation included adequate length, density of root filling, taper, coronal seal and the absence of any procedural errors. The root canal obturations were categorized as acceptable or unacceptable. Frequency and percentage were computed for categorical variables like length of the root filling, taper of the root filling, density of the root filling, coronal seal and fractured instrument. Mean with standard deviation were computed for quantitative variable like designation of dentist. Chi-square test was used to report significant findings. Significance was set at p value of ≤ 0.05.
RESULTS Among the final year students the percentages for adequate length, density, taper and coronal seal were 88.3%, 91.6%, 88.3% and 90% respectively in 60 teeth treated. Among the interns the percentage for adequate length, density, taper and coronal seal were 63.3%, 66.7%, 61.7% and 80% respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that the quality of root canal obturation was less than ideal in interns compared to final year students.
Key words: Root canal treatment, obturation, radiographic quality, undergraduates, interns
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