Success rate of endodontic treatment of teeth with vital and nonvital pulps. A meta-analysis

Objective. The purpose of this study was to use meta-analysis statistics to determine the influence of factors such as apical limit (short vs. overextension), status of the pulp (vital vs. nonvital), and periapical status (presence or absence of radiolucency) on endodontic prognosis. Study design. The study-list was obtained by using a MEDLINE search and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina search. Only those papers in which the criteria for success or failure was exactly described were accepted. Results. The cumulative success rate of 82.8 +/- 1.19% (average +/-95% confidence interval) was obtained for vital pulp; and 78.9 +/- 1.05%, for nonvital ones. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups. The cumulative success rates with overextension, flush, and underextension in vital teeth were 70.8 +/- 1.44, 86.5 +/- 0.88, and 85.5 +/- 0.98% respectively. There was a significant difference between flush and overextension and between flush and underextension. The rates for nonvital pulp were similar to those for vital ones. Conclusion. The root canal should be filled to within 2 mm of the radiographic apex.