Evaluation of Root Canal Filling Quality Performed by Dentistry Students on Extracted Teeth According to Tooth Type: A Retrospective Study

Abstract Background: In endodontic preclinical training, students are prepared for clinical practice through root canal cleaning, shaping, and filling procedures. This study aimed to radiographically evaluate the technical quality of root canal fillings (RCF) performed by preclinical students on extracted teeth at the Faculty of Dentistry, X-X-X University.Methods: A total of 761 extracted teeth were subjected to RCF by undergraduate students and evaluated based on the quality parameters of length, density, and taper. The overall filling quality was categorized as either Adequate or Inadequate. The effectiveness of RCFs was assessed according to the number of roots (canine, maxillary first premolar, and mandibular molar)The intra-observer agreement was analyzed using Cohen’s kappa test. The chi-square test was used to evaluate the study variables. Results: Among the 761 extracted human teeth RCF performed by preclinical students, 382 (50.2%) had an Overall Filling Quality at an acceptable level. Adequate length was observed in 660 teeth (86.7%), adequate density in 447 teeth (58.7%), and adequate taper in 553 teeth (72.7%). The technical quality of RCF in canines and maxillary first premolars was significantly better than in mandibular molars (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The technical quality of RCFs performed by preclinical students is inadequate. Preclinical education should incorporate advanced techniques and instruments to enhance the technical quality of RCFs performed by preclinical students.Keywords: Dental Students, Education, Root canal obturation