Endodontics and the Dental Student

[Insert presenter name, degree][Insert practice name]

[Insert date]

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What We’ll Cover Today

Endodontic facts

Endodontists and general practitioners

Using the Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Careers in academia

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Endodontic Facts

Endodontics is the science of treating problems associated with the pulp tissue inside the tooth.

There are approximately 4,000 active endodontists in the United States.

In the past 20 years, the number of endodontists has grown by 84 percent.

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Endodontic Facts

There are 50 postdoctoral endodontic training programs nationwide.

Nearly 400 postdoctoral dental students are enrolled in these programs.

The number of root canals performed in the United States is growing (root canals increased by 13 percent between 1990 and 1999).

Root canals account for 95 percent of procedures performed by endodontists.

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Endodontists and General Practitioners

Endodontists and general practitioners enjoy a strong reciprocal relationship.

More than 95 percent of general practitioners refer patients to endodontists each year.

While younger general practitioners may wish to perform their own endodontics, the quality of treatment is held to the standard of care of the specialist.

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Endodontists and General Practitioners

Endodontists have up to three additional years of specialized training in performing root canals and complex endodontic procedures.

Endodontists are technical leaders in the profession and are knowledgeable about the latest treatment techniques and instruments.

Once in practice, endodontists perform an average of 25 root canals per week. General practitioners perform two.

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Endodontists and General Practitioners

Endodontists treat more complex endodontic cases, while general practitioners treat basic cases.

The Case Difficulty Assessment Form is designed to help general practitioners determine when to refer root canals to endodontists.

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Benefits Of Referring To An Endodontist

Most endodontists:

accept emergency referrals;

provide immediate relief to patients in pain;

utilize advanced endodontic technologies;

share in the responsibility of treating complex cases; and

help keep general dentists’ practices on schedule.

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Good Referring Dentists

Good referring dentists:

are educated to recognize the complexity of a case;

have enough experience to understand their own abilities and limitations; and

are aware of advanced equipment available to complete treatment effectively.

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

The Assessment Form helps practitioners assign a level of difficulty to an individual case.

Minimal difficulty: routine complexity with predictable outcome

Moderate difficulty: preoperative condition is complicated; predictable outcome is challenging

High difficulty: preoperative condition is exceptionally complicated; predictable outcome is challenging for even the most experienced practitioner

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Assess each case to determine its level of difficulty. If the level of difficulty exceeds your experience, education level and comfort, refer the patient to an endodontist.

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Patient considerations

Medical history (using ASA Classification System)

Anesthesia

Patient disposition

Ability to open mouth

Gag reflex

Emergency condition

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Diagnostic and treatment considerations

Diagnosis

Radiographic difficulties

Position in the arch

Tooth isolation

Morphologic aberrations of crown

Canal and root morphology

Radiographic appearance of canal(s)

Resorption

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Additional considerations

Trauma history

Endodontic treatment history

Periodontal-endodontic condition

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Case study: abnormal anatomy

Patient presents for root canal treatments in lower first and second bicuspids.

It is expected that there would be two canals in the first bicuspid, one canal in the second.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Sashi Nallapati

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Case study: abnormal anatomy

Upon treatment, it is discovered that each bicuspid has three canals.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Sashi Nallapati

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Why should you refer this case?

Endodontists are exposed to the most leading-edge studies on internal anatomy and have the expertise to handle such cases.

Endodontists have enhanced surgical equipment, such as microscopes, for use in treatment to meet patients’ specialized needs.

Case study: abnormal anatomy

Photo courtesy of Dr. Sashi Nallapati

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Case study: medically compromised patient

A female diabetic patient presents with intra-oral swelling and is in pain. She also is very anxious about dental treatment. She has a limited range of opening due to TMJ.

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Case study: medically compromised patient

Why should you refer this case?

Because of her acute pain, anxiety and swelling, the patient is difficult to anesthetize. Endodontists have specialized training in administering anesthesia and have the necessary experience to properly manage the risks involved with this case.

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The Case Difficulty Assessment Form

Case study: medically compromised patient

Why should you refer this case?

The patient has limited range of opening secondary to mylo-facial pain dysfunction. Endodontists frequently work with cases of similar difficulty and can creatively address each situation more efficiently.

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Careers in Academia

Become a full- or part-time endodontic educator.

Part-time positions allow you to teach while maintaining a private practice.

Most universities offer flexible schedules for part-time and adjunct faculty.

Part-time teaching positions complement private practice by exposing endodontists to a wide variety of complex cases and conditions.

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Careers in Academia

By pursuing an academic career in endodontics you will:

shape the minds of tomorrow’s professionals;

influence dental education policies;

develop advances in oral health through research;

benefit from life-long learning;

help alleviate the crisis in dental education; and

give back to your community, profession and specialty.

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Careers in Academia

For more information, visit www.rootcanalspecialists.org

or the American Dental Education Association at www.adea.org.

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Q&A

[Insert presenter name, degree,address,Web site andphone number.]