Relationship between crown placement and the survival of endodontically treated teeth

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Crowns have been considered the restoration of choice for endodontically treated teeth, but their selection has been based primarily on anecdotal evidence. PURPOSE: This study tested the hypothesis that crown placement (coronal coverage) is associated with improved survival of endodontically treated teeth when preaccess, endodontic, and restorative factors are controlled. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A University of Iowa College of Dentistry treatment database was used to identify permanent teeth that had undergone initial obturation between July 1, 1985, and December 31, 1987. Study patients were restricted to persons with at least 1 dental visit in each 2-year interval from 1985 to 1996; a simple random sample of 280 patients (n = 400 teeth) was selected. Dental charts, radiographs, and computerized databases were examined to ascertain variables of interest and to verify study inclusion criteria. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were generated for the 203 teeth that satisfied study inclusion criteria. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were developed, with standard errors adjusted to account for clustering of teeth within patients. RESULTS: When tooth type and radiographic evidence of caries at access were controlled, the final Cox model showed that endodontically treated teeth not crowned after obturation were lost at a 6.0 times greater rate than teeth crowned after obturation (95% confidence interval: 3.2 to 11.3). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, a strong association between crown placement and the survival of endodontically treated teeth was observed. These results may impact treatment planning if long-term tooth retention is the primary goal.