Epidemiology of Chronic Pulpitis, Dental Caries, and Periapical Disease and Their Possible Risk Factors in an Adult Chinese Population in the Northern Regions of China

Background: Dental diseases and disorders are reported to affect specific ages, genders, and races of patients. Therefore, epidemiological investigations are necessary for understanding dental diseases and disorders. Objectives: This cross-sectional study aims to determine the prevalence and potential risk factors of chronic pulpitis, dental caries, and periapical disease in adults seeking treatment at the Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, Tianjin, a major referral center in the Northern region of China. Methods: A total of 3,245 males and females visited the Department of Adult Dentistry and the Department of Endodontics of the Tianjin Stomatological Hospital, Tianjin, China, for oral health concerns from January 17, 2020, to November 18, 2023. Among these patients, 615 (19%) were receiving treatment for chronic pulpitis, dental caries, and/or periapical diseases at the institute. Demographic parameters and clinical examination results of 496 patients (119 patients were excluded due to missing information) who were being treated for chronic pulpitis (long-term inflammation of the dental pulp), dental caries (a biofilm-mediated, sugar-driven, multifactorial, dynamic disease), and/or periapical disease (inflammation around the tooth root) with varying severity (moderate or severe) were included in the study. Results: Of the 496 patients, 300 (60%) were females, 328 (66%) were aged 60 years or older, and 295 (59%) had issues with mandibular teeth. Among the patients, 250 (50%), 301 (61%), and 151 (30%) were diagnosed with dental caries, chronic pulpitis, and periapical disease(s), respectively. Female gender (P = 0.041), age ≥ 60 years (P = 0.045), and issues with mandibular teeth (P = 0.046) were found to be associated with chronic pulpitis, dental caries, and periapical diseases in the patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of dental diseases and disorders in Han Chinese adults is 19% in the Northern regions of China. Chronic pulpitis and dental caries are the most prevalent dental diseases, while periapical diseases occur less frequently among Han Chinese adults in the Northern regions of China. Females, individuals aged ≥ 60 years, and issues with mandibular teeth are independent risk factors for the development of chronic pulpitis, dental caries, and periapical disease in adult patients in Northern regions of China. Policymakers in China should consider the findings of this study to reduce dental diseases and disorders in Chinese adults, especially in the Northern regions of China.