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Endodontics:An Introduction to the Specialty

•[Insert presenter name, degree]

•[Insert practice name]

•[Insert date]

What We’ll Cover Today

• What is endodontics?

• Root canals

• The importance of saving natural teeth

• Recent advances in endodontics

• Endodontists and general practitioners

• Consider becoming an endodontist

Why I Became an Endodontist

• [Insert personal testimonial about why you became an endodontist. Use a recent procedure or patient encounter to illustrate how your day-to-day practice is professionally rewarding.]

What Is Endodontics?• Endodontics is the science of treating problems

that involve the tissue inside the tooth, with a focus on:

– diagnosing and treating oral and facial pain;

– performing root canals;

– repairing cracked teeth; and

– replacing avulsed (knocked-out) teeth.

Facts about Endodontics

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

• Endodontists complete four years of dental school and two or more years of advanced training in endodontics.

Facts about Endodontics

• Endodontics is the fastest growing dental specialty—the number of endodontists has increased 84 percent over the past two decades.

• Root canals account for more than 95 percent of the procedures performed by endodontists.

Root Canal Facts• Root canals performed by endodontists

are a better and common alternative to tooth extraction.

• Root canals save nearly 16 million teeth annually.

Root Canal Facts• Patients who have had root canals

performed by an endodontist are six times more likely to describe them as painless than those who have never had a root canal.

• Eighty-five percent of patients who have had a root canal performed by an endodontist would return to an endodontist for future work.

What Is Root Canal Treatment?

• Root canal treatment is needed when the pulp becomes inflamed or infected as a result of:

–injury;–deep decay;–repeated dental procedures; or–a cracked or chipped tooth.

How Are Root Canals Performed?

• During root canal treatment, the endodontist:

–removes the inflamed or infected pulp;–cleans and shapes the inside of the canals (channels inside the tooth); and–fills and seals the space.

[Discuss a root canal you performed to illustrate these steps.]

How Are Root Canals Performed?

• After the root canal, the endodontist returns the patient to a general dentist to have a crown placed or other restorative work performed.

• After restoration, the tooth continues to function like any other tooth.

The Importance of Saving Natural Teeth

• Saving natural teeth is priority #1.

– Natural teeth are more likely to withstand forces of mastication (chewing).

– Natural teeth look better than implants.

– Implants can lead to loss of gum sensitivity.

The Importance of Saving Natural Teeth

• Americans feel strongly about keeping their natural teeth.

–Seventy-six percent prefer a root canal to tooth extraction.

–One-third would not sell a healthy front tooth for any amount of money.

Recent Advances in Endodontics

[Bring samples of new equipment or supplies from your office as visual aids, or insert photographs.]

• New optics provide improved vision and greater accuracy.

– Surgical binoculars

– Operating microscopes

• Endoscopy offers enhanced illumination and magnification during endodontic microsurgery.

Recent Advances in Endodontics

• Instrument miniaturization facilitates precise treatment on tooth structures.

–Microscalpels

–Ultrasonic handpieces

–Microsurgical irrigators

–Miniature carriers, condensers and pluggers

Endodontists and General Practitioners

• Endodontists and general practitioners enjoy a strong reciprocal relationship.

• Most endodontists:– accept emergency referrals;– provide immediate relief to referred patients;

and– help keep general dentists’ practices on

schedule.

Endodontists and General Practitioners

• Endodontists’ specialized training allows them to perform even the most complex endodontic procedures with the highest rates of tooth survival.

Consider Becoming an Endodontist

• Endodontists relieve people’s pain and help them retain their natural teeth.

• The demand for endodontic services is increasing.– Root canals are on the rise (up 13

percent between 1990 and 1999).– The aging of America will increase the

need for endodontists.

Consider Becoming an Endodontist

• Advances in endodontic techniques and practices makes this an exciting time to be an endodontist.

• Endodontics is professionally rewarding.

Consider Becoming an Endodontist

• American Association of Endodontists

– I am a member of the American Association of Endodontists.

– The AAE represents more than 7,200 members worldwide, including approximately 95 percent of all eligible endodontists in the United States.

– For additional information about endodontics, visit www.aae.org

Q&A• [Insert presenter name, degree,

–practice name,

–address,

–website and

–phone number.]