Loading...
Current Trends in Single-visit vs. Multiple-visit Root Canal Treatment: A Survey of Endodontists in the United States
Citations
Altmetric:
Genre
Thesis/Dissertation
Date
2025-08
Advisor
Committee member
Group
Department
Oral Biology
Permanent link to this record
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
DOI
https://doi.org/10.34944/kydw-kh74
Abstract
Single-visit root canal treatment is proposed to optimize efficiency, enhance patient receptivity, and to prevent interappointment contamination. On the other hand, concerns about single-visit treatment exist regarding post-treatment complications and insufficient disinfection. The concerns are heightened in particular with necrotic or infected cases. Over the last few decades, the reported practice of performing root canal treatment in a single-visit has increased over time. A previous survey of 304 endodontists in 1982 by Calhoun and Landers found that 16.8% would treat necrotic cases in a single visit. Later, in 2002, a survey of 156 endodontists by Inamoto et al. found 34.8% would do so. Since 2002, large-scale outcome review studies have been published concerning single vs. multiple-visit root canal treatment. Additionally, the advent of new technologies, such as GentleWave® and laser, which are adjunct irrigation techniques that aim to improve disinfection, may have changed endodontists’ practice preference concerning the amount of root canal treatment visits.
Purpose:
This present study aims to evaluate recent trends in practice preference and perception of endodontists in the USA in regards to single-visit vs. multiple-visit root canal treatment. Furthermore, the study seeks to determine statistically significant correlations between demographic variables and survey answers.
Materials and Methods:
A 30-question survey was emailed to 3,525 endodontists and was available from April to June 2024. The endodontists’ email information was sourced via previous and current data of members of the American Association of Endodontists. The survey included questions about respondents’ demographics, practice perception, and self-reported practice preferences. After data collection, the data was organized and cleaned. Statistical analysis was then performed. Survey responses were summarized using the frequency tables overall as well as stratified by demographic characteristics. Bivariate associations between survey responses and demographic characteristics were assessed by chi-squared tests. Statistical significance was determined if two-sided p-values <0.05.
Conclusion:
Of the 462 respondents, 74.9% reported treating necrotic cases in a single visit, while 92.4% reported single-visit for irreversible pulpitis. Younger endodontists (p<0.001) and those practicing in the Western and Midwestern regions (p=0.022) were more likely to do single-visit. 71.9% reported no perceived difference in post-op complications between single-and multiple-visit treatment, and 81.2% reported no perceived difference in success rate. In addition, 61% of GentleWave® and 41% of laser users answered that they increased their proportion of single-visit treatment after adopting it. The top three factors influencing treatment decisions were: fully dry canals, adequately instrumented canals, and available time. This study highlights a growing trend toward single-visit treatment and identifies the criteria that endodontists use for their decision-making.
Description
Citation
Citation to related work
Has part
ADA compliance
For Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation, including help with reading this content, please contact scholarshare@temple.edu