[Restoration choices for endodontically treated posterior teeth]

There aren't any generally accepted guidelines for the restoration of an endodontically treated tooth. With a questionnaire among dental general practitioners and endodontists, several restorative treatment options for endodontically treated molars and premolars were identified. The questionnaire inventoried the influence of various parameters on treatment preferences. For each case, additional questions were put about material choice, cuspal coverage and the use of root canal posts. Both groups identified the vertical root fracture as the most common reason for extraction. The dentist general practitioner waited longer than the endodontist to make a permanent restoration in the case of apical periodontitis. Treatment preferences were found to be the same for premolars and molars. In the case of premolars, a root canal post was indicated more often and the location of the wall (bearing/non-bearing) influenced the choice of cuspal coverage. Of the dentist general practitioners and endodontists, 51-53% and 75-94%, respectively, preferred a partial over a full crown preparation in the case of single-walled teeth.