endo's future

[koobpheej]

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anybody want to share their opinion on the future of endo as a specialty. I realize there will always be dentists that don't like or can't do endo. There are also always those complicated cases that only an endodontist should attempt. With the advent of NiTi rotary instruments, is there going to be a bite taken out of the specialists patient base? Or will the effect be rather small, or a growing effect with time as more GP's graduate dental school with more exposure to rotary endo rahter than relying on CE?

 

[groundhog]

I just had two molar implants placed (lower and upper) without any sedation other than valium. An added complication for the upper was that the hole for the impant had to be literally punched through the bone up into my sinus after the initial boring was complete in order to raise the sinus membrane for the implant insertion (much better than the old standard sinus lift procedure which gains entrance into the sinus by opening up a window in the roof of the mouth). I've got to tell you that both implant experiences were less stressful on me than any of the numerous root canals that I've had.

For healthy folks with decent bone structure, I believe molar implants/abutements/crowns will soon become just as economical as root canals/crowns while offering, on average, such patients better long term outcomes. Nevertheless, molar root canals/crowns will likely remain the preferred option for patients who do not present as good candidates for implants.

 

[DDSSlave]

There will always be a need for endodontists. The price for root canals may decrease because it's taking less time or to stay competitive with implants. So, they're salaries may decrease someday, but salary is a bad reason to choose a specialty anyway. For the immediate future, endo is a great specialty to enter if RCT is what does it for you.

 

[GoGatorsDMD]

Interesting thread. I was "eavesdropping" on an endo resident here at UF who was talking about something similar to this. I agree with the above posts in that there will always be a need for people who can do complicated endo cases, but I really think that either the need for endodontists will decline along with their fees as time goes on.

 

[ItsGavinC]

Endo is here to stay, but their scope of practice may change.

 

[drben]

I think the future of endo is very bright considering that there are more people hanging on to their teeth. Another thing to consider is that there are a lot of people that don't require root canals until they are more advanced in age hence more calcified canals=more referrals to endodontist who is a lot more proficient at finding, and debriding those canals.