Pain and coronal-radicular reconstruction: Care-related factors

Corono-radicular reconstruction is a restoration that uses an intra-root anchor to restore a decayed tooth. It is a very delicate treatment, with the risk of complications that are often painful. Pain is one of the most frequent reasons for consultation in odontostomatology, and pain associated with fixed prosthetic restorations accounts for between 18.4% and 63% of cases. The aim of this study was to determine its frequency, describe its characteristics and identify its risk factors.

It is a prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study, carried out from March to November 2023 on patients attending a consultation at a PZaGa Androva University Hospital and a private dental practice in Tanambao Ambalavato Mahajanga. Patients aged 18 and over with post-corono-radicular reconstruction pain were included in the study, while uncooperative and mentally handicapped patients were excluded.

Thirty-five patients presented with post-corono-radicular reconstruction pain during the study period, of whom 57.1% were female and 42.9% male. Pain was mainly moderate (51.4%), provoked (80%) and pressure-type (45.7%).

Radiographic findings revealed 51.4% apical periodontitis, 45.7% periradicular periodontitis and 20% root cracks. These failures were mainly due to poor post insertion and inadequate root canal filling. 

Corono-radicular reconstruction is the last resort for conserving decayed teeth, and preventing its failure is therefore of paramount importance.