A study by Alley, et al compared the 5-year survival rates of teeth that had been endodontically treated by endodontists versus those treated by general dentists. Successful treatment was defined as the treated tooth being present at 5 years after the date of treatment. Approximately 3,500 charts were reviewed, and 350 charts met the criteria for inclusion in the study. The study found that the success rate of endodontists was 98.1%, versus a success rate of 89.7% for the general dentists. This is a statistically significant difference. Endodontists treated 62% of second molars and 55% of first molars, but only one third of the anterior teeth. The authors note that the long-term survival rate for teeth treated by endodontic specialists is equal to or better than the outcome for implants.
(Source: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology, Vol. 98, No. 1, 2004)
