Endodontic treatment and premature tooth loss in primary dentition. Reasons and distribution

INTRODUCTION: Primary dentition has its own role in every individual’s life affecting the general health by ensuring the integrity of the permanent dentition. It has significant impact on the position, teeth and jaw relations as well as the vocal and eating functions. Thus, preventing its health is very important for the children. AIM: The aim of this article is to investigate the relative share of the primary teeth with d4 carious lesions and traumatic injuries indicated for endodontic treatment, reasons for retreatment, premature loss, and extraction of primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted by examining 1159 children 3 to 12 years old, from Varna in the University Medical Dental Center – Varna, where a d4mf/d4mf (T+t) was assessed in the period 2016-2019. Teeth indicated for endodontic treatment and endodontic retreatment were investigated. Teeth for extraction due to orthodontic issues and teeth with normal exfoliation were not taken into account. RESULTS: It was established that 37.8% of 1159 children were with a diagnosed d4 carious lesions. The main reason for endodontic treatment of primary teeth in 62% of the children diagnosed with complicated caries was irreversible pulpitis. A total of 34% of the children were diagnosed with periodontitis. Traumatic injuries with pulp necrosis represented 14% of the complications. The main reasons for premature extraction of primary teeth were carious process complications (36%) and unsuccessful previous endodontic treatment (49%). CONCLUSION: Although people use their primary dentition for just 6% of their lifetime, it has crucial impact on the health, orthognathic relations, and positions of permanent teeth.