OR26 - Evaluation of Dental Aerosol Spread with and Without the Use of an Aerosol Reduction Device

Abstract: Objective: To describe characteristics of teeth indicated for endodontic treatment and imaged with Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: The study included 367 patients referred to UCLA School of Dentistry for CBCT imaging over 18-month period. In total, 640 teeth were evaluated. Data were abstracted from radiology reports. Selected variables were compared between groups with and without prior endodontic treatment using Chi-square test. Results: Most frequently imaged teeth were molars (61%), followed by anteriors (22%) and premolars (17%). The proportion of anteriors was highest among patients age ≤ 30 years, whereas premolars were most highly represented among patients >70 years (p < 0.001). Of 640 teeth, 65.1% (n=417) had prior non-surgical endodontic treatment, 33.4% (n=214) were untreated, and 1% (n=7) had prior surgery. Untreated canal was detected in 11% (n=70) of previously treated teeth. The most frequently missed canal was MB2 (70%). Most teeth (81.3%) exhibited apical periodontitis. Previously treated teeth were more likely to have apical periodontitis (90.2%) compared to non-treated teeth (63.6%), (p < 0.0001). Previously treated teeth were more likely to be molars and less likely to be anteriors compared to non-treated teeth (p< 0.001). Root resorption was identified in 18.4% (n=118) of teeth, 8% of cases being incidental finding. The probability of resorption was three times higher for untreated vs previously treated teeth (34% vs 11%), (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Tooth distribution differed significantly among age groups. CBCT is most frequently used to evaluate previously treated teeth, which are more frequently molars and exhibit apical periodontitis.