The perceived prognosis of endodontic treatment and implant therapy among dental practitioners.

OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to understand if practicing dentists appreciate the difference in criteria for success used in the endodontic and implant literature, to evaluate the perceived outcome of implant therapy compared with endodontic treatment, and to evaluate current and projected utilization of implant and endodontic treatment. STUDY DESIGN A 16-question survey was distributed to 648 dentists who graduated from the University of Connecticut Dental School over the past 30 years. RESULTS The response rate was 47%. Forty-nine percent of respondents did not know that different criteria are used in the literature to evaluate implant and root canal treatment. Thirty percent of respondents thought root canal treatment of teeth with necrotic pulp was superior to implants, and only 16% thought retreatment was preferable. CONCLUSION A shift in utilization toward implant treatment was not found; however, a perceived superior outcome of implant compared with endodontic treatment does exist among the dental community.