Longitudinal study of endodontic and periapical status of an adult Danish population examined in 2009, 2014, and 2019: a repeated cohort study

Abstract

Objective

To describe endodontic changes in an adult Danish population (C2;2009–2014–2019) and compare them with a similar cohort (C1;1997–2003–2008).

Material and methods

A randomly selected cohort (C2) with three full-mouth radiographic examinations. The frequencies of teeth, apical periodontitis (AP), root filled teeth, and lost teeth in C2 were compared to a similar cohort (C1) using regression analyses; effect of age, cohort, and period was assessed.

Results

C1 had 330 and C2, 170 participants (mean age, C1: 42.9; C2: 47.3 years, p < .001). The proportion of individuals with no AP was similar in C1 and C2 (p = .46). C2 had a higher proportion of individuals with no root filled teeth (p < .001) and no tooth loss (p = .02) than C1. The proportion of AP and root filled teeth increased with age in both cohorts. C2 had fewer root filled teeth and lost teeth, fewest lost teeth in the youngest age groups.

Conclusions

In C2, the prevalence of teeth with AP and root fillings increased with age, and few teeth were lost. Change in proportion of AP was similar in two cohorts; fewer root filled teeth and lost teeth in C2. The proportion of lost teeth in C2 showed cohort effect for older age groups.

Keywords:

• Ageing
• apical periodontitis
• longitudinal studies
• root canal therapy
• tooth loss

Acknowledgement

We are thankful to Luise Jungnickel for her contribution to patient recruitment and data registration.

Authors contributions

Ankur Razdan, Lise-Lotte Kirkevang, Michael Væth, Lars Schropp: conceptualization (idea, hypothesis)

Ankur Razdan, Lars Schropp, Lise-Lotte Kirkevang: Patient recruitment and data registration

Ankur Razdan, Michael Væth: Data management and analysis

Ankur Razdan, Lise-Lotte Kirkevang, Michael Væth, Lars Schropp: Writing; managing and proofreading the manuscript

Ethics statement

This study has been independently reviewed and approved by an ethical board, the Regional Committee of Ethics (Registration number: 1-10-72-450-17). This research has been conducted in full accordance with ethical principles, including the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) (version 2008) and the requirements of Denmark where the research has been carried out. The examinations were undertaken with the understanding and written consent of each subject and according to the above-mentioned principles.

Reporting guidelines

This study has been conducted in accordance with the reporting guidelines by STROBE for observational studies and the recommended checklist is enclosed.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest in connection with this article.

Data availability statement

The data are not available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Aarhus University, European Society of Endodontology, Danish Dental Association, and Danish Endodontic Society.