Abstract
Aim: Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in early childhood in most communities worldwide. Several studies have been conducted and documented a high prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC). The present study aimed to determine the association of root canal treatment that may or not lead to tooth extraction.
Material and Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 156 patients in the Dental clinic of the university health center. Caries experience was measured using the World Health Organization caries criteria. Descriptive statistics and SPSS were used to calculate the qualitative parameters.
Results: The mean age of patients was 27 years. The statistical analysis revealed that dental caries was significantly associated with inadequate oral hygiene. Adequately done root canal treatment may save the tooth from extraction.
Discussion: The high rate of dental caries and tooth extraction recorded in this study strongly emphasized the necessity of community-based preventive programs and professional dental care.