Assessment of clinical and radiographic status of crowned teeth

This cross sectional study investigated the clinical and radiographic status of crowned teeth with and without root canal treatment.  The study used secondary data from records of patients who received crown treatment at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya before 2015 and walk-in patients attending the primary care clinic between July - December 2016. The inclusion criterion was crown fitted for more than 12 months. Once identified, the patients were assessed for clinical and radiographic status. Data were entered into and analysed using SPSS Version 20 software. A total of 66 crowns [35 root canal treated (RCT) and 31 non-root canal treated (n-RCT)] were identified. Chi-square test was carried out to determine the health of crowned teeth and for its longevity in the oral cavity. There were 43 crowns (46.5% RCT; 53.5% n-RCT) with plaque accumulation, 15 (66.7% RCT; 33.3% n-RCT) with gingival swelling/recession, 17 (46.5% RCT; 53.5% n-RCT) with widening of the periodontal ligament, 13 (53.8% RCT; 46.2% n-RCT) with bone loss and 5 (60% RCT; 40% n-RCT) crowns with periapical lesion. There was no statistically significant difference except for poorer alveolar bone condition for crowns that have been in the mouth for >10 years. Based on the study, no significant adverse pulpal involvement between crown with RCT and crown without RCT was observed.