Transcript endodontics: an introduction to the specialty

Endodontics:
An Introduction
to the Specialty
•[Insert presenter name, degree]
•[Insert practice name]
•[Insert date]
1
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?
[Discuss a root canal you performed to illustrate these steps.]
• 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.
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.]