The aim of the present study is to determine the monetary value of endodontic treatment (primary root canal treatment) compared to the alternative treatment options, such as extraction with or without subsequent insertion of a dental implant or placement of a fixed dental prosthesis.

Endodontic treatment of teeth with irreversibly damaged pulp aim at the long-term preservation of the affected tooth. If contraindications are present and / or a patient refuse endodontic treatment, the extraction of the affected tooth is often necessary. The resulting tooth gap might be closed by inserting a dental implant or by placing a fixed dental prosthesis.

Prior studies have shown that patients' decisions in alternative treatment options depend on a variety of factors. Studies on the willingness-to-pay (WTP) are used to compare the monetary value of different therapy procedures.

Participants are selected by consecutive patient sampling (total n = 200).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients who are in need of an primary root canal treatment and who are able to give written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-fulfillment of the inclusion criteria
• Lack of capacity to consent
• No German language skills in written and spoken language
• Age <18 years

• Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany
• Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany