American Association of Endodontists Releases Updated Guidelines for the Treatment of Traumatic Dental Injuries

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Updated guidelines appear online in the April 2026 Articles in Press of the Journal of Endodontics.

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) has released its updated Recommended Guidelines for the Treatment of Traumatic Dental Injuries, providing clinicians with the latest evidence-based recommendations to support timely, accurate care following dental trauma. The guidelines were published in April 2026 on jendodon.com.

Designed to aid practitioners in evaluating and managing traumatic dental injuries, the updated guidelines emphasize that prompt diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the chances of saving injured teeth.

“Dental trauma can happen at any time—from sports injuries to everyday accidents at home. How quickly and appropriately a tooth is treated can make all the difference,” said AAE President Dr. Steven J. Katz. “These updated guidelines provide dental professionals with clear, practical direction to help maximize successful outcomes for their patients.”

What’s New and Important

The updated AAE trauma guidelines:

• Reflect current best practices and clinical evidence in the management of traumatic dental injuries
• Provide structured guidance across a wide range of injury types, including fractures, luxation injuries and avulsed teeth
• Include comprehensive follow-up protocols, recognizing that ongoing monitoring is critical to long-term success
• Reinforce the importance of clinical judgment, acknowledging that treatment decisions must be tailored to each patient
• Emphasize the appropriate use of imaging—including the role of 3D CBCT when indicated—to enhance diagnosis and support informed clinical decision-making

The guidelines are intended as a clinical resource—not rigid protocols—allowing endodontists to adapt recommendations based on individual patient needs, health status and circumstances.

Built on Global Collaboration

In developing the updated guidelines, the AAE incorporated foundational elements from the International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT) 2020 Guidelines, ensuring alignment with globally recognized standards while tailoring recommendations for endodontic practice.

Why It Matters for Patients

Traumatic dental injuries are often unpredictable, but outcomes can be significantly improved with proper care.

While no treatment can guarantee long-term retention of a traumatized tooth, the AAE emphasizes that timely intervention using recommended procedures can greatly increase the likelihood of success—helping patients preserve their natural teeth whenever possible.

Access the Guidelines

The full Recommended Guidelines for the Treatment of Traumatic Dental Injuries are now available here.

About the American Association of Endodontists

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is dedicated to the excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. Endodontists are specialists in saving teeth, trained to diagnose and treat tooth pain and perform root canal treatment and other procedures relating to the interior of the tooth.