Prevalence of Root Canal–Treated Teeth Assessed by Orthopantomography in Tripoli, Libya

Abstract

Spread of dental caries through hard dental tissue results in pulpal and periapical infections that require Root canal treatment (RCT). This procedure is widely used; however, limited epidemiological data exist regarding the distribution of RCT in Tripoli, Libya. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of root canal–treated teeth among patients in Tripoli, Libya, and to evaluate trends in distribution with regard to age, gender, and tooth type. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using 72 orthopantomograms (OPGs) collected from patients attending private dental clinics for routine dental care. Patient demographics, number of RCT-treated teeth, and their type and anatomical distribution were extracted and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Of the 72 patients, a total of 108 RCTs were identified, with 62.5% of patients having at least one RCT-treated tooth. The number of RCT teeth increased significantly with age (p < 0.001). Posterior teeth, particularly first molars and premolars, were the most affected teeth (72.2%). The upper arch showed a higher prevalence of RCT (59.3%) compared to the lower arch. Females exhibited a higher prevalence (67.4%) and mean number of RCT teeth than males, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was a high prevalence of root canal–treated teeth among patients in Tripoli. Prevalence increased significantly with age, with posterior teeth shown to be most susceptible. Early preventive strategies and improved oral health awareness are crucial to reduce the burden of endodontic disease.