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A comparison of endodontic treatment outcomes between HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients.

INTRODUCTION
There has been some surmise that immunocompromised patients may not be candidates for endodon tic therapy.


AIM
To compare the clinical presentation, treatment, and treatment outcomes of HIV+ve and HIV-ve patients receiving endodontic therapy.


METHOD
Fifty-nine HIV-ve and 46 HIV+ve patients who consented to join the study were sequentially selected from those presenting at the hospital. Clinical features were recorded for pain on palpation and percussion, thermal sensitivity, radiographic appearance, swelling, and time for treatment. Endodontic outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in the presenting signs and symptoms of the two groups, although HIV+ve patients reported more severe pain. HIV+ve patients presented with mainly anterior teeth requiring therapy, but only three teeth (24%) had caries. Active caries was present in 71% (42) of the HIV-ve patients and in only 7% (three) of the HIV +ve patients. Treatment time for comparable teeth in the HIV-ve patients (52 minutes) was nearly half that of the HIV+ve (112 minutes) patients, mainly due to the latter experiencing excessive canal bleeding during treatment. There was no significant difference in the final outcome at 24 months, though resolution of signs and symptoms tended to occur earlier in the HIV-ve patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Endodontic therapy is not contra-indicated HIV+ve patients, although treatment times may be longer, and time to full resolution may take longer in some of these patients. A comparison of endodontic treatment outcomes between HIV positive and HIV negative patients.