Comparison of clinical outcome of periapical surgery in endodontic and oral surgery units of a teaching dental hospital: A retrospective study

Objectives, The aims of this retrospective study were (1) to compare the outcome of periapical surgery performed in endodontic and in oral surgery units of a teaching dental hospital and (2) to evaluate the influence of factors affecting outcome. Study design. A total of 176 teeth (endodontic unit, 83; oral surgery unit, 93) surgically treated more than 3 years previously were examined clinically and radiographically by means of strict criteria. Multiple logistic: regression analysis was used. Results. The rate of complete healing for patients treated in the endodontic unit (37.4%) was significantly (P =.009) higher than that for patients treated in the oral surgery unit (19.4%;). The technical quality of surgery (P <.001), placement of root-end filling (P=.039), absence of a preoperative periapical lesion (P=.042), absence of a post (P=.047), and presence of an adequate coronal restoration (P =.056, odds ratio = 3.71) had significant effects on treatment outcome. Conclusion. The technical quality of periapical surgery, the presence of a periapical lesion, and adequate apical and coronal seal are important prognostic determinants of successful periapical surgery.