Endodontics

The Endodontic Lecture course is designed to introduce the second-year student to the art and science of endodontics in addition to critical thinking and problem-solving exercises that support clinical diagnosis and treatment of root canal treatment. Because Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and peri-radicular tissues it is imperative that students have a sound knowledge of the etiology of Endodontic disease. Students will study and practice the basic clinical sciences including biology of the normal pulp, and the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated peri-radicular conditions. Students will learn to understand that knowledge of the science of Endodontics is needed to perform Endodontic therapy, designed to maintain the health of all or part of the pulp. When the pulp is diseased or injured, treatment is aimed at maintaining or restoring the health of the peri-radicular tissues, usually by root canal therapy.

The laboratory course for the pre-doctoral endodontic clinical curriculum is designed to introduce the student dentist to the technical aspects of clinical endodontic therapy in anterior and posterior teeth as it relates to fulfilling the fundamental biological principles of endodontic treatment for patient care. The course encompasses: basic tooth and tooth canal morphology and anatomy, radiographic technique, access openings, working length determination, rotary and hand instrumentation of the root canal system, obturation of the root canal systems, safe use of irrigation, and proper use of intra-canal medicaments.

The laboratory course for the pre-doctoral endodontic clinical curriculum is designed to introduce the student dentist to the technical aspects of clinical endodontic therapy in anterior and posterior teeth as it relates to fulfilling the fundamental biological principles of endodontic treatment for patient care. The course encompasses: basic tooth and tooth canal morphology and anatomy, radiographic technique, access openings, working length determination, rotary and hand instrumentation of the root canal system, obturation of the root canal systems, safe use of irrigation, and proper use of intra-canal medicaments.

This course is a continuum of endodontic principles, concepts and fundamentals taught in the Preclinical Lecture Course. Discussions are focused on endodontic principles and practices that are beyond the scope of the introductory and preclinical endodontic course. New and advanced clinical concepts and clinical procedures are introduced that are relevant to clinical situations that present to the general dentistry practice. The course is designed to foster critical thinking, diagnostic data analysis and interpretation, case selection and treatment planning for the general dentist encountering advanced endodontic cases requiring treatment or referral.