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Schwendicke F, Göstemeyer G. J Endod 2016;42: 1446–1452

Anecdote would suggest that a single-visit root canal treatment is less expensive that a multiple-visit approach. In addition, a single-visit regimen does not require repeated local anaesthetics and the use of leaky intermediary restorations. Indeed the European Society of Endodontology proclaim that multiple-visit treatment is rarely needed for vital teeth; but then how often is a endodontic treatment carried out on a vital tooth? But single-visit root canal treatment may be associated with inferior outcomes. These investigators used sophisticated modelling software (TreeAge Pro 2013; TreeAge Software, Williamstown, MA) to explore the outcome of single-visit versus multiple-visit root canal treatment. The outcomes for many different endodontic and non-endodontic complications were obtained from studies that were identified from a limited systematic review. The health outcome was tooth retention years. Hazard functions were calculated. Cost calculations were based on German public and private dental fees. Taken in the round, there were no differences in cost-effectiveness between single- and multiple- visit endodontic treatment in both single-rooted and molar teeth. For both vital or non-vital molar teeth the cost was ca. 1,700 EUR, with tooth retention years of 20 years. For incisor teeth, the cost was slightly cheaper with similar survival times.