Prevalence and Assessment of Periapical Lesions in Subjects Reporting to a Private Teaching Hospital, Chennai,India : A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Apical or periapical lesions are inflammatory processes which are generally caused by microorganisms or
their by-products and manifest due to defense response of the host to the stimulus in the root canal system.
The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of periapical lesions among the south indian population.
This was a descriptive study, where the data of the patients who reported to the dental clinics in saveetha
dental college, SIMATS, Chennai, India, was obtained from the department of conservative dentistry
and endodontics. Data was further analyzed, recorded in microsoft excel software and was subjected to
statistical analysis. n = 15 for periapical lesions. From the data analysed through SPSS, it is observed that
the prevalence of periapical lesions among non - vital teeth among the outpatients in the department of
oral pathology is 1.1%. The age group of 60 - 70 years was the most commonly observed (60%). Male
predilection was noted (67%). Radiographic examination was performed for 40% and histopathological
examination was performed for 6.7% of the teeth with periapical lesions. 100% of the teeth observed in
the current study were non - vital. Periapical abscess was the most common finding (53.3%). Occurring
mostly in anterior maxillary, anterior mandibular and posterior mandibular regions (26.7%) each. The most
commonly observed treatment modality was extraction (73.7%). Within the limitations of the current study ,
there exists increased prevalence of periapical pathology above 60 years, predominantly in the age group of
60 - 70 years, primarily reported in the undergraduate clinics. Routine dental checkup with both radiographic
and histopathological examination of the periapical lesions is essential for the survival of the tooth and is
beneficial for the community.