• Ornuma Kongtaweelert D.D.S.
• Busayarat Santiwong D.D.S., Ph.D.
• Pairoj Linsuwanont D.D.S., Ph.D.

Objective The objectives of this study were to evaluate the technical quality of root canal filling and
determine factors associated with the technical quality of root canal filling in primary teeth.

Materials and methods This is a retrospective study collecting data from the dental records of 166
patients who had received pulpectomy treatment from the Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of
Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University during the period of January 2004 to January 2009. The data
recorded were demographic and pulpectomy data, evaluating pathologic external root resorption, the
extent and density of root canal filling post operative radiographs. The multivariate analysis using
Binary logistic regression test was used to determine factors influencing the technical quality of root
canal filling.

Results It was found that the prevalence of short, optimal and overfilling is 45.9%, 22.9% and 31.2%
respectively. The prevalence of the extrusion of root filling into periapical tissue is significantly higher
in teeth with pathologic external root resorption than in teeth without pathologic external root resorption
(odds ratio: 6.2). It appears that the prevalence of overfilling is higher when using Vitapex than ZOE
(odds ratio: 2.2).

Conclusion In the quality evaluation of root canal filling performed by dental students, it was found
that the majority of root canal filling was either short or over filling rather than optimal filling.
Furthermore, this study found that the technical quality of root canal filling was significantly
influenced by pathologic external root resorption and types of filling material.

(CU Dent J. 2010;33:41-50)