Aspectos radiográficos de periapicopatias em pacientes atendidos em uma clínica-escola de Odontologia em Minas Gerais

Abstract

Periapical disease is an inflammatory condition affecting the apical region of teeth and represents the most prevalent bone pathology in the jaws. Studies indicate that periapical lesions are more frequently observed in endodontically treated teeth and those affected by caries. Additionally, their occurrence is associated with the quality of coronal restorations. Understanding potential risk factors and their influence on lesion development is therefore essential. This study aimed to evaluate the radiographic characteristics of periapical pathologies in teeth of patients treated at the public radiology department of a dental school in eastern Minas Gerais, determining their prevalence and associated factors. Two previously calibrated examiners analyzed 661 teeth in digital periapical radiographs retrieved from the institution's database. The presence of periapical lesions, periodontal ligament thickening, endodontic treatment and its quality, complications, carious lesions, and restorations (assessed in terms of contour and quality) were examined. Additionally, tooth fractures, root resorption, and intraradicular posts were assessed. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed using a 5% significance level. The results indicated that 328 teeth (49.6%) were healthy, and the majority of participants were women, with a mean age of 48 years. Periapical lesions and periodontal ligament thickening accounted for 3.2% of the sample. Carious lesions, restorations, and endodontic treatments were more prevalent in patients over 50 years of age (p<0.001). Posterior teeth exhibited the highest frequency of periapical lesions, endodontic treatments, satisfactory and homogeneous treatments, restorations, carious lesions, and intraradicular posts (p<0.05), whereas upper anterior teeth had the highest prevalence of coronal fractures (p<0.05). A significant association was found between endodontic treatment and coronal restoration (p<0.001), as well as between carious lesions and both periodontal ligament thickening and periapical lesions (p<0.001). In conclusion, most of the patients evaluated presented some form of dental alteration; however, the prevalence of periapical lesions was lower than previously reported in Brazil. Age and dental group influenced the presence of the studied factors. Moreover, a significant association was observed between endodontic treatment and coronal restoration, as well as between carious lesions and periodontal ligament thickening and periapical lesions.