The Correlation between Endodontic Mishaps and Single-Visit Treatment in King Saud University

Aim: To our knowledge, the correlation between the incidence of endodontic mishaps and single-visit treatment has not been reported. Therefore, the study's primary objective was to examine the correlation between endodontic mishaps and single-visit treatment using stainless steel files amongst dental students in King Saud University. The secondary objective was to identify risk factors associated with endodontic mishaps. Methodology: Dental records filed between September 2012 and May 2015 was screened for patients who underwent complete endodontic treatment in King Saud University. Data collection included number of visits, tooth type, clinical training duration, preoperative conditions, and endodontic mishaps. Dental records with incomplete documentation or radiographs were excluded. Preoperative conditions included full-coverage restorations, a 10-30° root curvature, and a history of root canal treatment. Mishaps included ledge formation, transportation, perforation, and instrument separation. Risk factors included multiple visits, tooth type, preoperative conditions, and clinical training duration. Two endodontists with intraexaminer reliability >0.75, blinded to the number of visits and operator training duration, identified mishaps in postoperative radiographs. Data were statistically analyzed at a P-value of <0.05. Results: In total, 1328 teeth fulfilled the study criteria. The incidence of mishaps was 7% for teeth treated in a single visit, and the incidence increased significantly to 16.2% and 28.3% for teeth treated in two and three visits, respectively. Single-visit treatment was significantly correlated with fewer mishaps compared to multiple-visit. Multiple visits, tooth type, and preoperative conditions had a significant effect on the incidence of mishaps. Clinical training duration had no significant correlation with incidence of mishaps. Conclusion: Single-visit treatment using stainless steel files decreased the incidence of mishaps. Tooth type, preoperative conditions and multiple visits, are risk factors associated with mishaps.