This cross-sectional study examined the prevalence of endodontically treated teeth in 1,401 Brazilian adults. Panoramic radiographs were selected at the Radiological Center of Orofacial Images (CRIOF, Cuiabá, MT, Brazil) between August 2002 and September 2007. Three independent endodontists discussed interpretation criteria and classified specimens according to the following data: presence of root canal treatment, which was defined as partially or completely filled canal space, regardless of whether filling ended at the radiographic apex or not; presence of intracanal post; and associated apical periodontitis. Odds ratio, logistic regression and a chi-square test were used for statistical analyses. Significance level was set at p<0.05. Of 29,467 teeth evaluated, 6,313 (21.4%) were treated endodontically. Endodontic treatment was most frequent in maxillary premolars and molars, whereas mandibular incisors showed the lowest prevalence. Most endodontically treated teeth were found in people aged 46 to 60 years (47.6%, p<0.001) and the prevalence increased with age in this age range. Females (61.9%, p<0.001) showed a higher prevalence of teeth with root fillings than males. The present study found a higher prevalence of endodontically treated teeth in a Brazilian adult population compared to the prevalence reported in epidemiological studies conducted in other countries.