Research
Promoting the Specialty
Endodontic research drives innovation, technology, and improved patient care. Each new discovery strengthens the evidence basis for the success of root canal treatment. Science is the specialty’s best advocate for the value of saving teeth.
The AAE strives to deliver professional advancement and personal fulfillment to its members through research opportunities and scientific resources. The Research and Scientific Affairs Committee guides the Association’s efforts in this arena; they also collaborate with others to ensure that members receive cutting-edge information about developments in dentistry.
The AAE has defined the knowledge areas in which the specialty should focus the greatest attention. These priorities change in response to developments in clinical practice.
Practice-Based Research Networks
In an attempt to enhance research, the AAE encourages endodontists to participate in Practice-Based Research Networks. Organized by academic institutions, PBRNs conduct research in non-university-based dental practices on a variety of clinical issues. This model allows practicing clinicians to identify problems to investigate and offers a large patient population to study. Areas of endodontic interest are:
- Preoperative pain and root canal therapy
- Persistent pain and root canal therapy
- Outcomes of endodontic treatment and restoration
- Analgesic use and effectiveness of dental practices
- Complete vs. partial removal of deep caries
- Assessing the outcomes of cracked teeth
- Mineral trioxide aggregate vs. calcium hydroxide in direct pulp capping
- Dentin hypersensitivity in general practices
The Foundation for Endodontics Is an Important Partner
The Foundation for Endodontics is a critical resource for endodontic researchers and academic departments. The Foundation provides funding that is not available from any other source. Foundation grants help residents gain experience in the lab and help faculty develop projects that may be submitted to larger funding organizations, such as the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research. The Foundation budgets for a variety of research programs annually. In 2021, they also completed funding a seven-year, $2.5 million, multi-center study in regenerative endodontics.
Below are several opportunities, guidelines and instructions, and applications for researchers to submit proposals:
AAE Research Priorities
Click to visit the Research Priorities page.
- Patient-Centered Research & Outcomes
- Clinical outcomes (success, survival, healing)
- Patient-reported outcomes: pain, quality of life, satisfaction
- Data-driven research
- Technologies & Materials Science
- Diagnostic technologies, imaging, artificial intelligence (AI)
- Endodontic instruments and devices
- Novel materials and biomaterials (sealers, bioceramics, scaffolds)
- Digital dentistry / computer-assisted devices
- Biological & Translational Sciences
- Pulp and periradicular biology, microbiology, immunology
- Regenerative endodontics
- Genetics, molecular diagnostics
- Endodontic and systemic disease
- Education & Training
- Endodontic education/training outcomes
- New endodontic teaching models
AAE Research and Education Resources
Following are links to related research and education: