Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence and distribution of sinus tract in a population in the North West of Argentina.

Methods: The study evaluated 524 patients in need of endodontic therapy over a period of 16 months, in a post-graduate course on endodontics in the Province of Jujuy, Argentine Republic. The incidence of sinus tract together with their distribution by tooth, endodontic disease, gender and age were evaluated using a logistic regression test and Fisher’s exact test.

Results: The incidence of sinus tract was 15.3% (n=80). There were no significant differences in age and gender (P<0.05). The tooth with the highest tendency to sinus tract is the lower first molar (26.3%) followed by the upper incisors (20%) and the most frequent disease was necrosis with radiolucent lesion (58.25%). Results show that only disease had a significant effect on the dependent variable (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Knowledge of the incidence and distribution of sinus tract is essential for locating infectious foci and diagnosing involved teeth.

Keywords: Endodontics; Sinus tract; Epidemiology; Incidence; Chronic infection