Abstract

A few studies have identified etiologic factors in pulpal disease, but little is known about the odds ratios of factors associated with pulpal disease. Odds ratios are well established measures of the effects of exposure to a particular outcome, and are comparisons of exposure to non-exposure in cases versus controls. The purpose of this study was to compare exposure of individual teeth to hypothesized risk factors in endodontic cases and in controls. This case-control study consisted of a chart review of 301 endodontic cases and 301 controls. Caries, types of restorations, and periodontal disease were the most significant factors. With respect to caries the significant Mantel-Haenzel odds ratios ranged from 7.88 (p = 0.0038) for lingual surface caries to 3.05 (p = 0.0001) for occlusal caries. No significant risk was associated with the very limited number of incisal surface caries. Odds ratios for restorations within the whole mouth ranked according to risk were as follows: Crowns 4.21 (p < 0.0000001), composites 1.79 (p = 0.0011), bridge abutments 1.78 (p = 0.0004), and amalgams 1.37 (p = 0.3912). Odds ratios for the restorations on the observed tooth ranked according to risk were as follows: Crowns 7.13 (p < 0.0010), Bridge abutments 4.78 (p = 0.0003), and amalgams 1.54 (p = 0.0226). Stratified and logistic regression analyses based on the California Board of Dental Examiners classification of periodontal disease, indicates that the extent of periodontal disease on the observed tooth, the total number of teeth in the mouth, and age are the most reliable predictors for risk of pulpal disease. The periodontal disease factor was dose-related in that the odds ratios increased with disease severity: gingivitis 2.09 (p = 0.3621), mild periodontitis 10.26 (p < 0.0001), moderate periodontitis 10.91 (p = 0.0067), severe periodontitis 3.30 (p = 0.2459). This linear dose-response relationship was determined to be statistically significant using the Mantel-Haenzel trend test (p < 0.0010).

Department

Dentistry

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Leif K. Bakland

Second Advisor

Mahmoud Torabinejat

Third Advisor

Douglas McKendry

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Level

M.S.

Year Degree Awarded

1994

Date (Title Page)

6-1994

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Dental Pulp Diseases; Pulpitis

Type

Thesis

Page Count

2 vi; 65

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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