Data indicates rise in specialist endodontic care in US

Dental Tribune International

Wed. 17 December 2025

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CHICAGO, US: New data from the American Association of Endodontists indicates that more patients in the US are being referred to endodontists for complex endodontic procedures. Based on an analysis of nationwide dental insurance claims from 2020 to 2024, endodontists have increased both their share of endodontic treatment and the proportion of patients they treat over this period.

According to the analysis, conducted by the data company Fluent, the percentage of endodontic treatments performed by endodontists rose from 34.6% in 2020 to 44.4% in 2024. Over the same period, the proportion of patients treated by endodontists increased from 36% to 45%, suggesting that general practitioners are increasingly referring cases involving tooth pain and complex root canal therapy to specialists.

The American Association of Endodontists also commissioned an online consumer survey of 1,019 US adults, carried out by independent market research agency Atomik Research in February this year. In the survey, 94% of respondents said that keeping their natural teeth for as long as possible is important to them. Overall, 45% reported having had a root canal treatment and 71% of those said they were glad they chose a root canal instead of a tooth extraction.

“While it is understandable that no one really wants to undergo a root canal, the new data shows that patients realise it is the best procedure to save their tooth, alleviate dental pain and avoid a painful extraction that can require considerable down time,” said American Association of Endodontists president Dr Steven J. Katz in a press release. “Similar to the overall trend of more people seeking specialty medical treatment in recent years, it’s encouraging to see that dentists are increasingly working hand in hand with endodontists to determine the best treatment for patients to preserve their teeth and benefit their overall oral health,” Dr Katz added.

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