Outcomes of Primary Endodontic Therapy Provided by Endodontic Specialists Compared with Other Providers

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of initial nonsurgical root canal therapy for different tooth types provided by both endodontists and other providers. Methods: By using an insurance company database, 487,476 initial nonsurgical root canal therapy procedures were followed from the time of treatment to the presence of an untoward event indicated by Current Dental Terminology codes for retreatment, apical surgery, or extraction. Population demographics were computed for provider type and tooth location. KaplanMeier survival estimates were calculated for 1, 5, and 10 years. Hazard ratios for provider type and tooth location were calculated by using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results:The survival of all teeth collectively was 98% at 1 year, 92% at 5 years, and 86% at 10 years. Significant differences in survival on the basis of provider type were noted for molars at 5 years and for all tooth types at 10 years. The greatest difference discovered was 5% higher survival rate at 10 years for molars treated by endodontists. A hazard ratio of 1.394 was found when comparing other providers' success with that of endodontists within this 10-year molar group. Conclusions: These findings show that survival rates of endodontically treated teeth are high at 10 years after treatment regardless of provider type. Molars treated by endodontists after 10 years have significantly higher survival rates than molars treated by non-endodontists.

Single-visit endodontic treatment of mature teeth with chronic apical abscesses using mineral trioxide aggregate cement: a randomized clinical trial

“…In this study, complete periapical healing was observed in 87.5 % in MTA-treated, and 75 % in gutta-percha-treated after single-visit endodontic treatment, which is comparable to pervious reports [21]. At 5-years, the survival rate of MTA-treated and gutta-percha treated teeth collectively was 91.6 %, which is equivalent to 92 % survival rate reported in 117818 endodontically treated teeth followed for 5 years retrospectively [23]. …”

Prevalence of apical periodontitis and its association with previous root canal treatment, root canal filling length and type of coronal restoration – a cross‐sectional study

“…Moreover, this type of data analysis, using a one‐point‐in‐time assessment, does not take into account all causal factors that may affect the outcome or progression of periapical healing. Such factors may include the treatment date and specific clinical procedures (Costa et al ), as well as the clinician skills and qualifications (Burry et al ). The convenience sample used in the present study represented a sample of the population that attended 8 different health centres, and consequently, it was not possible to adequately judge the quality of the treatment protocols (Paes da Silva Ramos Fernandes et al ).…”

Association between missed canals and apical periodontitis

“…The qualification and experience of the clinicians who performed the treatments were unknown and may also be an important factor influencing the outcome (Burry et al . ). Radiographic examination is usually insufficient for a definitive diagnosis and cannot determine the microbiological conditions of the canals.…”

“…Moreover, information regarding the root canal treatment itself was unavailable, including techniques, instruments, chemicals, materials, isolation, accidents. The qualification and experience of the clinicians who performed the treatments were unknown and may also be an important factor influencing the outcome (Burry et al 2016). Radiographic examination is usually insufficient for a definitive diagnosis and cannot determine the microbiological conditions of the canals.…”