FIRST U.S. STUDY ANALYZING TOOTH SURVIVAL AFTER ROOT CANAL IN GENERAL POPULATION Teeth survive about 11 years after a root canal, according to recent research. The groundbreaking study is the first to analyze records from community dental practices, where most Americans receive dental care. Root canals are an important treatment to maintain natural teeth affected by disease. However, over time, the treated tooth eventually becomes brittle and dies. Understanding the outcomes of the procedure is essential to improving dental treatments. For this study, the research team gathered deidentified electronic dental records from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network, consisting of 99 small group and solo dentistry practices from around the country. The data covered more than 46,000 patients who received root canals. Data analysis revealed that the median survival time of a tooth after a root canal is 11.1 years. However, several factors can impact that, including follow-up treatments. Teeth that receive a root canal, and a subsequent filling and crown last about 20 years. Teeth that receive either a filling or a crown after a root canal last around 11 years. Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal only last about 6.5 years. There were also wide disparities in longevity among geographic regions. SM-CL2064962 Northeast-20.5 years Southwest - 11.2 years South Central-9.0 years Midwest - 11.2 years South Atlantic -9.1 years Western-8.7 years Insurance status also played a significant role. Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave., Suite 130, Downers Grove, IL 60515 630-663-0554 FIRST U.S. STUDY ANALYZING TOOTH SURVIVAL AFTER ROOT CANAL IN GENERAL POPULATION Teeth survive about 11 years after a root canal , according to recent research . The groundbreaking study is the first to analyze records from community dental practices , where most Americans receive dental care . Root canals are an important treatment to maintain natural teeth affected by disease . However , over time , the treated tooth eventually becomes brittle and dies . Understanding the outcomes of the procedure is essential to improving dental treatments . For this study , the research team gathered deidentified electronic dental records from the National Dental Practice - Based Research Network , consisting of 99 small group and solo dentistry practices from around the country . The data covered more than 46,000 patients who received root canals . Data analysis revealed that the median survival time of a tooth after a root canal is 11.1 years . However , several factors can impact that , including follow - up treatments . Teeth that receive a root canal , and a subsequent filling and crown last about 20 years . Teeth that receive either a filling or a crown after a root canal last around 11 years . Teeth that receive no restorative work after a root canal only last about 6.5 years . There were also wide disparities in longevity among geographic regions . SM - CL2064962 Northeast - 20.5 years Southwest - 11.2 years South Central - 9.0 years Midwest - 11.2 years South Atlantic -9.1 years Western - 8.7 years Insurance status also played a significant role . Presented as a service to the community by Dr. Barbara Webster 1121 Warren Ave. , Suite 130 , Downers Grove , IL 60515 630-663-0554