Received by the Editorial Office: March 16, 2026
Accepted for publication: March 27, 2026
Published online: March 30, 2026
UDC: 616.314-02
DOI: 10.70113/1815-9443.2026.98.63.005
RETROSPECTIVE EVALUATION OF CHRONIC APICAL PERIODONTITIS
IN DENTAL PATIENTS OF KAZAKHSTAN
Tulegenova I.M.¹, Kopbayeva M.T.¹, Omarova B.A.¹, Smagulova E.N.², Tulepbergenova A.P.²
¹Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
²Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Introduction. Chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) is one of the most frequent periapical pathologies in endodontics and remains clinically relevant because of its high prevalence, chronic inflammatory burden, and impact on long-term tooth survival. Data on CAP in Kazakhstan remain limited, which complicates the development of evidence-based preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Aim. To retrospectively evaluate the prevalence and structure of chronic apical periodontitis among dental patients in Almaty, Kazakhstan, according to age, sex, tooth group, and clinical form.
Materials and methods. A retrospective observational study included 300 dental records with radiographic data obtained from the MedElement medical information system, the School of Dentistry Clinic of Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, and Orbita dental clinics for the period 2022–2024. Patients aged 18–74 years were stratified into three age groups: 18–45, 46–59, and 60–74 years. Inclusion criteria were age within the study range and availability of medical records and diagnostic radiographs. Exclusion criteria were incomplete medical documentation and absence of radiographic imaging. CAP cases were analyzed by age, sex, tooth group, and clinical form. Descriptive statistics, chisquare analysis, and comparison of mean lesion frequency per patient were used; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. A total of 1,484 CAP cases were identified in 300 patients. CAP was most frequent in the 18–45-year age group (727 cases; 49.0%), while the highest mean number of lesions per patient was observed in the 46–59-year group (6.0). Age-related differences were statistically significant (χ²=79.95; p<0.001). Molars were affected most often (742 cases; 50.0%), followed by premolars (445 cases; 29.9%). The granulomatous form predominated (816 cases; 55.0%), followed by the granulating form (445 cases; 30.0%) and the fibrous form (222 cases; 15.0%). Conclusion. CAP is widely prevalent among dental patients in Almaty, with the greatest disease burden in young and middle-aged adults and a predominance of lesions in posterior teeth. The findings support the need for earlier diagnosis, better prevention, improved quality of primary endodontic treatment, and broader use of CBCT in anatomically complex cases.
Keywords: chronic apical periodontitis, epidemiology, prevalence, endodontics, periapical lesions, molars, CBCT.
