New study revises insights on post-root canal tooth survivability

A research project out of the Indiana University School of Dentistry, led by Dr Thankam Thyvalikakath, used data from US general dental practices to deepen insights about how long teeth survive after root canal therapy.

An article by Dental Tribune noted that this study is one of a “small proportion of [studies that] have analysed these outcomes outside of an academic clinical setting”, drawing on de-identified data from a network of community dental practices across the United States, making it the first study of its kind to do so.

Quite apart from findings that relate wholly to the way in which health insurance operates I the US setting, the study provided the following key insights according to Dental Tribune.

"Analysis of the data found that the overall median survival time for teeth after undergoing root canal therapy was 11.1 years and that 26% survived for more than 20 years. The researchers also demonstrated that these survival times differed depending on follow-up treatments and other factors. Teeth that received root canal therapy along with a subsequent filling and crown had a median survival time of 20.1 years, whereas those that received no additional restorative work after the therapy survived for an average of just 6.5 years."

The hope is that study will play a role in not only improving treatment but also in identifying “causal relationships” and helping in the maintenance of good oral health.

For more on the study, go to “Study analyses tooth survival after root canal therapy in US population"