About Our Department
We believe healthy smiles can change lives.
Endodontics focuses on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the dental pulp and periapical tissues. Our team of professionally trained endodontists, residents and students work in a technologically advanced clinic in which contemporary diagnostic concepts and treatment modalities to save teeth are offered to our patients. Our clinical services include nonsurgical root canal therapy, nonsurgical retreatment, surgical root canal therapy, vital pulp therapy and regenerative endodontic procedures.
Our department is proud to support the mission of the School of Dentistry at UAB, where we work to optimize oral health by preserving natural teeth. Our commitment to this goal drives us to provide the best dental care possible through the dedicated pre-doctoral training of our dental students and the advanced postgraduate education of our residents.
Research and Scholarly Activity
Endodontics
Through laboratory and clinical research our faculty and postdoctoral students are expanding knowledge and exploring new treatments. Current projects include:
- The use of contemporary molecular microbiological approaches to characterize endodontic microflora and its association with outcomes of regenerative endodontic therapy.
- Molecular and clinical characterization of symptomatic and asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis.
- Identifying the association of chronic systemic diseases and the use of long-term systemic medications with the prevalence, pathogenesis and healing of apical periodontitis.
- The effectiveness of antibiotics and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes in spreading endodontic infections.
- The disruption of Endodontists’ practice by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Aerosol generation patterns and reduction during endodontic access preparations.
- Evaluation of dynamic guidance in endodontic microsurgery.
- The effectiveness of topical antimicrobial agents for endodontic infections.
- The role of chewing forces in the dissemination of endodontic microflora.
Department Publications
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2020 - 2024
- Daline IH, Slade GD, Fouad AF, Nixdorf DR, Tchivileva IE. Diagnostic Accuracy of a Temporomandibular Disorder Pain Screener in Patients Seeking Endodontic Treatment for Tooth Pain. J Endod. 2024 Jan;50(1):55-63. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.10.011. Epub 2023 Oct 29. PMID: 38379174.
- Sabeti MA, Nikghalb KD, Pakzad R, Fouad AF. Expression of Selected Inflammatory Mediators with Different Clinical Characteristics of Pulpal Inflammation. J Endod. 2024 Mar;50(3):336-343. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.11.016. Epub 2023 Dec 24. PMID: 38147909.
- El Karim IA, Duncan HF, Fouad AF, Taha NA, Yu V, Saber S, Ballal V, Chompu-Inwai P, Ahmed HMA, Gomes BPFA, Abushouk S, Cushley S, O'Neill C, Clarke M. Effectiveness of full Pulpotomy compared with Root canal treatment in managing teeth with signs and symptOms indicative of irreversible pulpitis: a protocol for prospectiVE meta-analysis of individual participant data of linked randomised clinical trials (PROVE). Trials. 2023 Dec 15;24(1):807. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07836-6. PMID: 38102685; PMCID: PMC10722670.
- Altitinchi A, Schweizer A, Dean K, Lawson N, Sulaiman T, Fouad AF, An ex-vivo model for investigating bacterial extrusion from infected root canals during masticatory function. J Endod. 2023 Aug 21:S0099-2399(23)00502-2. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.08.008. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37611655.
- Alhadainy HA, Abdel-Karim AH, Fouad AF, Prevalence of Fusobacterium Species in Endodontic Infections detected with molecular methods: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Endod. 2023 Aug 21:S0099-2399(23)00501-0. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.08.009. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37611654.
- Nosrat A, Valancius M, Mehrzad S, Dianat O, Verma P, Aminoshariae A, Fouad AF, Flare-ups After Nonsurgical Retreatments: Incidence, Associated Factors, and Prediction. J Endod. 2023 Jul 13:S0099-2399(23)00395-3. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2023.07.004. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37451334.
- Daline IH, Slade GD, Fouad AF, Nixdorf DR, Tchivileva IE. Prevalence of painful temporomandibular disorders in endodontic patients with tooth pain. J Oral Rehabil. 2023 Jul;50(7):537-547. doi: 10.1111/joor.13457. Epub 2023 Apr 14. PMID: 37021602.
- Nagendrababu V, Duncan HF, Fouad AF, Kirkevang LL, Parashos P, Pigg M, Vaeth M, Jayaraman J, Suresh N, Jakovljevic A, Dummer PMH. PROBE 2023 guidelines for reporting observational studies in endodontics: Explanation and elaboration. Int Endod J. 2023 Jun;56(6):652-685. doi: 10.1111/iej.13909. Epub 2023 Mar 20. PMID: 36851874.
- Nagendrababu V, Duncan HF, Fouad AF, Kirkevang LL, Parashos P, Pigg M, Vaeth M, Jayaraman J, Suresh N, Arias A, Wigsten E, Dummer PMH. PROBE 2023 guidelines for reporting observational studies in Endodontics: A consensus-based development study. Int Endod J. 2023 Mar;56(3):308-317. doi: 10.1111/iej.13873. Epub 2022 Dec 11. PMID: 36416192.
- Alghofaily M, Fouad AF, Association of Chronic Systemic Medications with the Incidence, Prevalence, or Healing of Endodontic Disease: A Systematic Review. J Endod. 2022 Dec;48(12):1458-1467. PMID: 36244516.
- Barrett B, McGovern J, Catanzaro W, Coble S, Redden D, Fouad AF, Clinical Efficacy of an Extraoral Dental Evacuation Device in Aerosol Elimination During Endodontic Access Preparation. J Endod. 2022 Dec;48(12):1468-1475. PMID: 36206990.
- Fouad AF, Diogenes AR, Torabinejad M, Hargreaves KM. Microbiome Changes during Regenerative Endodontic Treatment Using Different Methods of Disinfection. J Endod. 2022 Oct;48(10):1273-1284. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2022.07.004. Epub 2022 Aug 27. PMID: 36030971.
- Nosrat A, Yu P, Verma P, Dianat O, Wu D, Fouad AF, Was the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Associated with an Increased Rate of Cracked Teeth? J Endod. 2022 Oct;48(10):1241-1247. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2022.07.002. Epub 2022 Jul 12. PMID: 35835260; PMCID: PMC9273286.
- Fouad AF, Molecular Characterization of Irreversible Pulpitis: A Protocol Proposal and Preliminary Data. Front. Dent. Med, 10 May 2022 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fdmed.2022.867414.
- Nosrat A, Yu P, Dianat O, Verma P, Taheri S, Wu D, Fouad AF, Endodontic Specialists' Practice During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic: 1 Year after the Initial Outbreak. J Endod. 2022 Jun;48(6):699-706. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2022.03.004. Epub 2022 Mar 17. PMID: 35307515; PMCID: PMC8928705.
- Nosrat A, Dianat O, Verma P, Yu P, Wu D, Fouad AF. Endodontics Specialists' Practice during the Initial Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Endod. 2022 Jan;48(1):102-108. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2021.09.015. Epub 2021 Oct 6. PMID: 34626613; PMCID: PMC8493639.
- Pigg M, Duncan HF, Nagendrababu V, Abbott P, Fouad AF, Kruse C, Patel S, Rechenberg DK, Dummer PM. Preferred Reporting Items for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies in Endodontics (PRIDASE): Guidance to improve manuscripts assessing the diagnostic accuracy of procedures, techniques and devices. Int Endod J. 2021 Jul;54(7):1005-1007. doi: 10.1111/iej.13539. PMID: 34089630.
- Yoo YJ, Perinpanayagam H, Choi Y, Gu Y, Chang SW, Baek SH, Zhu Q, Fouad AF, Kum KY. Characterization of Histopathology and Microbiota in Contemporary Regenerative Endodontic Procedures: Still Coming up Short. J Endod. 2021 May 25:S0099-2399(21)00367-8. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2021.05.006. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34044040.
- Yip N, Liu C, Wu D, Fouad AF. The association of apical periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A large hospital network cross-sectional case-controlled study. J Am Dent Assoc. 2021 Jun;152(6):434-443. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2021.01.005. Epub 2021 Mar 29. PMID: 33795142.
- Zhao D, Yu J, Zhang T, Du M, Yang Q, Li Z, Fouad AF. Impact of COVID-19 on advanced dental education: Perspectives of dental residents in Wuhan. J Dent Educ. 2021 Jun;85(6):756-767. doi: 10.1002/jdd.12570. Epub 2021 Feb 26. PMID: 33638235; PMCID: PMC8013597.
- Nagendrababu V, Abbott P, Duncan HF, Fouad AF, Kruse C, Patel S, Pigg M, Rechenberg DK, Dummer PMH. Preferred Reporting Items for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies in Endodontics (PRIDASE) guidelines: a development protocol. Int Endod J. 2021 Jul;54(7):1051-1055. doi: 10.1111/iej.13497. Epub 2021 Mar 4. PMID: 33583062.
- Weintraub JA, Quinonez RB, Smith AJT, Ciarrocca K, Fouad AF, Shazib MA, Kraszeski MM, Rankin DB, Matthews NS. Responding to a pandemic: Development of the Carolina Dentistry Virtual Oral Health Care Helpline. J Am Dent Assoc. 2020 Nov;151(11):825-834. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2020.08.003. PMID: 33121604.
- Aminoshariae A, Kulild J, Fouad AF. The impact of cardiovascular disease and endodontic outcome: a systematic review of longitudinal studies. Clin Oral Investig. 2020 Nov;24(11):3813-3819. doi: 10.1007/s00784-020-03596-8. Epub 2020 Sep 23. PMID: 32965589.
- Fouad AF. Contemporary Microbial and Antimicrobial Considerations in Regenerative Endodontic Therapy. J Endod. 2020 Sep;46(9S):S105-S114. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2020.06.030. PMID: 32950182.
- Yu J, Hua F, Shen Y, Haapasalo M, Qin D, Zhao D, Peng B, Fouad AF. Resumption of Endodontic Practices in COVID-19 Hardest-Hit Area of China: A Web-based Survey. J Endod. 2020 Aug 18;46(11):1577–1583.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2020.08.001. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 32818564; PMCID: PMC7431398.
- Levin L, Day PF, Hicks L, O'Connell A, Fouad AF, Bourguignon C, Abbott PV. International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: General introduction. Dent Traumatol. 2020 Aug;36(4):309-313. doi: 10.1111/edt.12574. Epub 2020 Jun 22. PMID: 32472740.
- Bourguignon C, Cohenca N, Lauridsen E, Flores MT, O'Connell AC, Day PF, Tsilingaridis G, Abbott PV, Fouad AF, Hicks L, Andreasen JO, Cehreli ZC, Harlamb S, Kahler B, Oginni A, Semper M, Levin L. International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 1. Fractures and luxations. Dent Traumatol. 2020 Aug;36(4):314-330. doi: 10.1111/edt.12578. Epub 2020 Jul 17. PMID: 32475015.
- Fouad AF, Abbott PV, Tsilingaridis G, Cohenca N, Lauridsen E, Bourguignon C, O'Connell A, Flores MT, Day PF, Hicks L, Andreasen JO, Cehreli ZC, Harlamb S, Kahler B, Oginni A, Semper M, Levin L. International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 2. Avulsion of permanent teeth. Dent Traumatol. 2020 Aug;36(4):331-342. doi: 10.1111/edt.12573. Epub 2020 Jun 13. PMID: 32460393.
- Day PF, Flores MT, O'Connell AC, Abbott PV, Tsilingaridis G, Fouad AF, Cohenca N, Lauridsen E, Bourguignon C, Hicks L, Andreasen JO, Cehreli ZC, Harlamb S, Kahler B, Oginni A, Semper M, Levin L. International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries: 3. Injuries in the primary dentition. Dent Traumatol. 2020 Aug;36(4):343-359. doi: 10.1111/edt.12576. PMID: 32458553.
- Nagendrababu V, Duncan HF, Fouad AF, Kirkevang LL, Parashos P, Pigg M, Vaeth M, Jayaraman J, Dummer PMH. Preferred Reporting items for OBservational studies in Endodontics (PROBE) guidelines: a development protocol. Int Endod J. 2020 Sep;53(9):1199-1203. doi: 10.1111/iej.13318. Epub 2020 Jun 1. PMID: 32365401.
- Baras BH, Melo MAS, Thumbigere-Math V, Tay FR, Fouad AF, Oates TW, Weir MD, Cheng L, Xu HHK. Novel Bioactive and Therapeutic Root Canal Sealers with Antibacterial and Remineralization Properties. Materials (Basel). 2020 Mar 1;13(5):1096. doi: 10.3390/ma13051096. PMID: 32121595; PMCID: PMC7084849.
- Fouad AF, Khan AA, Silva RM, Kang MK. Genetic and epigenetic characterization of pulpal and periapical inflammation. Frontiers in Physiology; 2020 (11) 21. Epub 2020/03/03. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00021. PubMed PMID: 32116745; PMCID: PMC7010935.
Facilities
The Dentsply Tulsa Endodontic Clinic, located on the fifth floor at the UAB School of Dentistry, is a specially designed state-of-the-art facility with eight operating microscope-equipped resident rooms and six student treatment suites each containing computerized digital radiography units. The clinic also has a dedicated Cone Beam CT machine which allows clinicians to view 3-D images of potentially challenging diagnostic and treatment conditions. The enhanced design provides semi-private patient care and enhanced research and teaching capabilities. The endodontic clinic is one of the busiest facilities in the school. Dental students and residents provide surgical and nonsurgical endodontic care to about 2,500 patients annually.