Endodontic Specialists' Practice During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: 1 Year after the Initial Outbreak

Was the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Associated with an Increased Rate of Cracked Teeth?

“…The two previous studies on characteristics of patient visits in 2020 and 2021 showed that patients who visited the endodontic offices during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 were significantly younger compared to the same period in 2019 ( 4 ). This trend reversed in 2021, when the average age of patients was similar to pre-pandemic levels ( 5 ). Also, male patients had higher number of visits in 2021 ( 5 ).…”

“…This trend reversed in 2021, when the average age of patients was similar to pre-pandemic levels ( 5 ). Also, male patients had higher number of visits in 2021 ( 5 ). As noted, the present study showed that the rate of cracked teeth was significantly higher among patients aged 40-60 in 2020 and older than 60 in 2021, but not in 2019.…”

“…The present study builds on the data collected throughout the two previous studies ( 4 , 5 ). The study protocol was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and received an IRB Exempt approval (IRB-300006461).…”

“…These studies showed a significant spike in patients’ subjective and objective pain levels during the initial outbreak in 2020. These pain levels mostly returned to normal levels in 2021 except for self-reported pain ( 5 ). Also, these studies showed that the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 and the ongoing pandemic in 2021 were both associated with an increase in the number of non-surgical root canal treatments ( 4 , 5 ).…”

“…Increased pain levels might indicate reduced quality of life for those who deal with toothache ( 3 ). Previous studies showed prominent changes in the pattern of presentation of endodontic diseases and their diagnoses and treatment in Endodontists’ practices during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 ( 4 ) as well as during the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19 one year later in 2021 ( 5 ). These studies showed a significant spike in patients’ subjective and objective pain levels during the initial outbreak in 2020.…”