Surgical Trends among Endodontists: The Results of a Web-based Survey

Abstract 

The purpose of this survey was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of surgery among active endodontists in the United States. The survey also inquired about residency and postresidency training in endodontic surgery. A Web-based questionnaire regarding endodontic surgery was distributed via e-mail to 2,532 active members of the American Association of Endodontists in the United States. Data from 1,045 surveys, a 41% response rate, indicate that 91.2% of respondents are performing some form of root-end surgery with 89.6% using the operating microscope and ultrasonic instrumentation. Of those surveyed, 33.3% felt as though their endodontic residency training in surgery was inadequate, and 47.9% went on to acquire additional training in surgery postresidency. The anterior maxilla is the most common site of endodontic surgery as indicated by the respondents. Our results show that the most difficult process for surgery is access and visualization followed by root-end filling. Additionally, 53.9% of respondents answered that they are not referring any of their surgical cases, whereas 34.3% of responding endodontists are referring at least some endodontic surgery to oral surgeons; 6.6% of respondents also indicated that they are placing implants.

Key Words: Apical surgery, endodontic surgery, microsurgery, mineral trioxide aggregate, root-end surgery, ultrasonic instrumentation