About Our Department
We believe healthy smiles can change lives.
The Department of Endodontics is dedicated to preserving natural teeth through specialty care, education, research, and professional leadership. Faculty, residents, and students focus on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases affecting the dental pulp and periapical tissues while advancing new approaches to patient care and scientific discovery.
Faculty expertise spans endodontics, microbiology, regeneration, pain science, imaging, immunology, and clinical outcomes research, creating opportunities for discovery, collaboration, and advanced training.
The department's impact extends beyond the clinic, classroom, and laboratory. Faculty serve in leadership roles within organized dentistry, specialty organizations, the university, and the School of Dentistry, contributing expertise that helps advance the profession and supports the missions of education, research, patient care, and service.
Education and Training
The Department of Endodontics contributes to the education of future dentists through classroom, preclinical, and clinical instruction, helping students develop the knowledge and skills needed to diagnose and manage pulpal and periapical disease. Faculty also provide advanced specialty training through the Endodontics Residency Program, mentoring residents in contemporary endodontic techniques, evidence-based treatment planning, patient care, and scholarly activity.
The department also supports lifelong learning through continuing education programs, lectures, and observership opportunities for practicing dentists and international participants.
Clinical Care
Clinical faculty provide comprehensive endodontic care through the UAB Dentistry Endodontics Clinic, including nonsurgical and surgical endodontics, retreatment, and vital pulp therapy.
The department's clinical environment features operating microscopes, digital radiography, and dedicated cone beam CT imaging that support patient care, education, and research. Faculty, residents, and students provide care for approximately 2,500 patients annually, creating extensive opportunities for clinical learning and collaboration.
Research and Scholarly Activity
Faculty conduct basic, translational, and clinical research that advances the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of pulpal and periapical disease.
Endodontics
Current areas of investigation include:
- Biology & Regeneration
- Regenerative endodontics
- Pulp biology
- Host response
- Infection & Outcomes
- Microbiology
- Biofilms
- Antibiotic response
- Clinical outcomes
Department Publications
-
2020 - 2025
- Nosrat A, Tian Y, Verma P, Mossad N, Wu D, Fouad AF. Same-day emergencies in endodontic specialists practice: Before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Int Endod J. 2025 Jul;58(7):952-964. PMID: 40110932.
- Fouad AF. Outcomes of Endodontic Treatment: Which Measures Are Important? J Endod. 2025 Apr;51(4):399-400. PMID: 40049546.
- Pigg M, Nagendrababu V, Duncan HF, Abbott PV, Fouad AF, Kruse C, Patel S, Rechenberg DK, Suresh N, Shetty YN, Dummer PMH. PRIDASE 2024 Guidelines for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies in Endodontics: Explanation and Elaboration. Int Endod J. 2024 Sep 19. doi: 10.1111/iej.14148. PMID: 39298282.
- Nagendrababu V, Pigg M, Duncan HF, Abbott PV, Fouad AF, Kruse C, Patel S, Rechenberg DK, Setzer FC, Rossi-Fedele G, Dummer PMH. PRIDASE 2024 Guidelines for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy Studies in Endodontics: A Consensus-based Development. Int Endod J. 2024 Aug;57(8):996-1005. PMID: 38669132.
- Nosrat A, Verma P, Dianat O, Ramzy N, Mehrzad S, Valancius M, Aminoshariae A, Fouad AF. Incidence of Middle Mesial Canals in Mandibular Molars During Root Canal Treatment and Nonsurgical Retreatment. J Endod. 2024 Jun;50(6):774-783. PMID: 38460881.
- 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. 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. 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 Wigns 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. PMID: 38102685.
- 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 Nov;49(11):1553-1558. 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 Oct;49(10):1249-1261. 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 Oct;49(10):1299-1307. PMID: 37451334.
- 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.
News and Recognition
The Department of Endodontics celebrates the accomplishments of its faculty, residents, students, and alumni through scholarly achievements, professional leadership, awards, and departmental milestones.