(By Dr. Joseph D. Lim and Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI)
ROOT canal procedures are essential to maintain diseased teeth.
Over time, however, the treated tooth eventually becomes brittle and dies.
Now comes a study showing that teeth survive about 11 years after a root canal.
The study, published in the Journal of Dental Research, was supported by the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The study was conducted at the Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University (IU) School of Dentistry. It is the first to analyze records from community dental practices where most Americans receive dental care.
“The findings of this study give deeper insight into the longevity of dental procedures because it provides real-world data on a wider range of patients, not just those receiving care in large health systems or those who are insured,” said Dr. Thankam Thyvalikakath, Director of the Regenstrief-IU School of Dentistry dental informatics program.
“This information can be used to inform dental practice, and help patients and dentists make better care decisions,” said Dr. Thyvalikakath, the study’s lead author.
She led researchers that gathered electronic dental records from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, consisting of 99 small group and solo dentistry practices in the United States.
The data covered more than 46,000 patients who received root canals.
Breaking down the root canal data, analysis showed that the median survival time of a tooth after a root canal is 11.1 years.
Teeth that receive a root canal, and a subsequent filling and crown last about 20 years, the study found.
Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal only last about 6.5 years.
The data demonstrate the value of crowns and permanent restoration options, said Dr. Thyvalikakath, a dentist who is the Director of the Dental Informatics Core. She is a professor at the IU School of Dentistry and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the IUPUI School of Informatics and Computing.
“Oral health is a public health issue that significantly affects people’s overall health. Leveraging dental records can help us better understand ways to improve treatment, identify causal relationships and maintain the health of teeth and gums.”
The study provides more representative data of the overall population than previous studies. It also demonstrates that meaningful insights can be gained through analysis of existing data from routine dental care.
Established in 2019, the Regenstrief Institute-IU School of Dentistry Dental Informatics Program is one of only a few in the U.S., and perhaps the only one linked to a clinical data repository managed by a regional health information exchange.
The program uses both electronic dental and medical record data. This way, clinical research can develop databases and advance the knowledge of oral health problems that cause, co-occur with or result from medical conditions.
The goal is to implement findings into dental clinics and other points of care.
Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, the Regenstrief Institute is a key research partner of Indiana University.
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Dr. Joseph D. Lim, Ed. D., is the former Associate Dean of the College of Dentistry, University of the East; former Dean, College of Dentistry, National University; Past President and Honorary Fellow of the Asian Oral Implant Academy; Honorary Fellow of the Japan College of Oral Implantologists; Honorary Life Member of the Thai Association of Dental Implantology; and Founding Chairman of the Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail jdlim2008@gmail.com or text 0917-8591515.
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Dr. Kenneth Lester Lim, BS-MMG, DDM, MSc-OI, graduated Doctor of Dental Medicine, University of the Philippines, College of Dentistry, Manila, 2011; Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, De la Salle University, Manila, 2002; and Master of Science (MSc.) in Oral Implantology, Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany, 2019. He is an Associate Professor; Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantologists; Member, American Academy of Implant Dentistry and Fellow, Philippine College of Oral Implantologists. For questions on dental health, e-mail limdentalcenter@gmail.com./PN
