(PR56) Frequency of Patients Returning to Finish Root Canal Therapy in the University Setting

Due to several factors, including the presence of swelling, large periapical radiolucency, and patient time constraints, root canal therapy is often performed over multiple visits. Patients often fail their second visit once they are out of pain. The aim of this retrospective study was threefold: (1) evaluate the frequency in which patients return to finish treatment, (2) determine the average time for patients to return, and (3) the main reason patients returned for treatment (pain, broken filling, or to finish treatment). Correlations with the patient’s demographics were also analyzed. Data was collected from 567 patients who started root canal therapy in our clinics, between January 2020 to June of 2022 following Institutional Review Board approval. Results showed the main average of return was 28 days (SD=44.67). There was no statistical correlation between age and return for treatment. However, there was a higher percentage of females that did not return (p=0.06). After treatment, 71% of the patients returned within 30 days. 10% returned in 30–60 days, 4% in 60-90 days, 4% in 90+ days. 21-40 age group was least likely to return for treatment (17%). After 90 days, there was a significant increase in the percentage of patients that returned for a broken filling (30%) or pain (18%). In conclusion, this study suggests time in which patients return is 28 days, with no statistical difference in gender.  At 90 days, broken fillings and continuous pain was the main reason for return to treatment.