Implant and endodontic treatment selection are influenced by patients' demographic characteristics, insurance status, and medical history: A retrospective cohort study

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine any potential association between demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, dental insurance, and medical and tobacco history between patients that received endodontic treatment or extraction and implant treatment in a university dental clinic. Method and Materials: Dental charts of patients who received root canal treatment and implant therapy were retrieved from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry records. Age at the time of the procedure, gender, medical history, tobacco use, dental insurance status, zip code, and type of treatment provided were recorded. Patients who had both treatment modalities were excluded from the analysis. Results: A total of 8,540 records of patients with a mean age of 50.66 years who have received either endodontic treatment (73.6%) or implant therapy (26.4%) were included. A statistically significant (P .05) association was found between endodontic treatment or implant treatment as related to age, socioeconomic status, high blood pressure, asthma, thyroid disorders, arthritis, artificial joint, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, cancer, and cancer treatment. Nonsmokers were significantly more likely to select a treatment plan with implants rather than an endodontic therapy. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this retrospective study, demographic parameters, insurance status, smoking, and medical history significantly affected the treatment selection between implant and endodontic treatment in a university setting. Keywords: endodontics, epidemiology, implantology, insurance, socioeconomic factors