Opinions of dental professionals from a large American insurance system on outcome of non-surgical root canal treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the opinions of dental professionals working within the Delta Dental insurance system regarding the predictability of initial endodontic treatment, expected long-term outcome and the importance of placing a coronal coverage after completion of treatment.


METHODS
An eight-item questionnaire was distributed among participants attending a continuing education course. The questionnaire included four items on practice profile and demographics and four multiple-choice questions regarding participants' opinions on endodontic treatment outcome.


RESULTS
51% of participants responded that the expected retention rate of teeth 5-10 years after endodontic treatment was more than 90%. Sixty-eight percent of participants responded that the need for additional treatment was expected to occur within the first 3 years after initial endodontic treatment. 87% of participants responded that placing coronal coverage after completion of endodontic treatment was very important for long-term tooth retention. Ninety-three percent of participants responded that overall, endodontic treatment was a predictable procedure with long-term tooth retention rate. Statistically significant associations were found between (1) year of experience and expected rate of retention (P < 0.01); (2) participants' years of experience and their responses regarding the need for additional treatment (P < 0.05); and (3) their opinions that endodontic treatment was a predictable procedure with long-term tooth retention rate (P < 0.05).
Rotstein
Ilan
I
Division of Surgical, Therapeutic and Bioengineering Sciences, University of Southern California, School of Dentistry, 925 West 34th Street, Suite 310, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0641, USA. ilan@usc.edu
Salehrabi
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003793:Dental Restoration, Permanent; D003815:Dentists; D004708:Endodontics; D005544:Forecasting; D005792:General Practice, Dental; D006801:Humans; D007347:Insurance, Dental; D008875:Middle Aged; D011364:Professional Practice; D019233:Retreatment; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000517:prevention & control; D019553:Tooth, Nonvital / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States