CE Hours: 1.0

Description: Up until recently the only drugs available to manage acute dental l pain were acetaminophen, aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids. NSAIDs cannot be taken by a variety of patients due to poor renal function, a history of GI ulcers, drug allergy or sensitivity and for the possibility of adverse drug interactions with anticoagulants and lithium. Opioids are wrought with acute side effects including dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting and constipation. Their potential to cause substance misuse, physical dependence and addiction are also well described.  On January 30, 2025 suzetrigine, a novel voltage gated sodium channel 1.8 (Nav 1.8) blocking agent was granted FDA approval for the management of moderate to severe pain.  By selectively blocking the Nav 1.8 it is hoped that side effects will be less numerous and severe compared to drugs that indiscriminately block other Nav subtypes such as anticonvulsants and local anesthetics.. Unlike opioids, suzetrigine also appears to be devoid of addiction potential. In two Phase 3 post-surgical pain trials on research patients who underwent bunionectomy or abdominoplasty, suzetrigine was significantly more effective than placebo, but its analgesic effects were only equivalent to acetaminophen 325 mg plus hydrocodone 5 mg (APAP 325 mg/HYDRO 5 mg) respectively. These results are somewhat disappointing with regards to postsurgical dental pain where 440 mg naproxen sodium or APAP 500 mg plus ibuprofen 400 mg (APAP 500 mg/IBU 400 mg) have been demonstrated to provide superior analgesic effects when compared to APAP 650 mg/HYDRO 10 mg or APAP 300 mg/HYDRO 5 mg respectively.  This presentation will discuss the genesis of dental postsurgical pain, the nomenclature and anatomical  locations  of various  Nav channel subtypes and suzetrigine's possible utility and limitations in treating orofacial pain.   Suzetrigine represents only the first step to optimize the selective blockade of Nav channels to treat various patient maladies.

Learning Objectives:  

• Discuss the mechanism of action of suzetrigine
• Discuss the advantages and limitations of employing suzetrigine in the treatment of acute dental pain
• Identify which patients should not receive analgesic regimens that contain ibuprofen or naproxen sodium

CE Hours: 1.0

Description: While botulinum toxin is most widely recognized for its cosmetic applications, its therapeutic value in dentistry-and specifically in pain management-is rapidly expanding. This presentation will explore the scientific basis and clinical applications of botulinum toxin for managing pain and dysfunction in the orofacial region. Particular emphasis will be placed on its role in the endodontic practice. Attendees will gain an evidence-based understanding of how botulinum toxin works at the neuromuscular junction, as well as the central nervous system. Current research will be presented to provide a well-balanced overview of the applications for dental practice. Through didactic information and clinical case presentations this session will challenge participants to consider how botulinum toxin may enhance outcomes in complex pain management and interdisciplinary care and provide the endodontic specialist with an additional tool for pain management in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe the pharmacology and mechanism of action of botulinum toxin relevant to dental applications.
• Identify clinical scenarios in endodontics where botulinum toxin may be beneficial, including persistent pain and suspected muscular disorders.
• Evaluate the current evidence supporting or disputing the therapeutic use of botulinum toxin in dentistry.

CE Hours: 1.25

Description: As more women enter the field of endodontics, a critical but often unspoken topic remains underserved in professional forums: family planning and fertility. This session will offer an evidence-based, personal, and professional perspective on navigating reproductive health while building a successful career. The session will also cover elective fertility preservation options, including egg freezing and IVF, and how these can empower long-term planning for both personal and professional fulfillment.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe the biological timelines affecting fertility and how they intersect with the typical career trajectories of dental specialists.
• Discuss fertility preservation options such as oocyte cryopreservation, embryo banking, and IVF. Discuss what they entail, how to access them, and financial considerations.
• Initiate proactive planning conversations about fertility with mentors, partners, employers, or patients.

CE Hours: 1.5

Description: Numerous classification systems have been used in the dental literature over the years to describe the various types of tooth resorption. However, there has been no consensus and the dental profession has not adopted any particular classification for universal use. Compounding this problem has been the use of different, conflicting, confusing, unclear and inconsistent terminology to name the same condition which leads to uncertainty amongst clinicians, researchers and students regarding the diagnosis and management of resorbing teeth. The International Association for Dental Traumatology (IADT) and the Dental Trauma Guide (DTG) have recently collaborated to develop a new, comprehensive classification of tooth resorption and its associated conditions. During this session, this new classification will be presented with justification for the use of specific terminology. Each type of resorption will be defined and described to enable easy diagnosis. The general principles of management of each type of resorption will be outlined to provide clinicians with guidelines to manage their own cases. Examples showing the outcomes of these treatment protocols will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe  the principles used to develop the new IADT/DTG classifications of tooth resorption and associated conditions
• List the various types of tooth resorption and associated conditions as outlined in the new IADT classification
• Apply the new classification to clinical practice when diagnosing teeth with resorption

CE Hours: 1.25

Description: This lecture will present the findings of a randomized controlled trial (IRB Approval #21-2960) comparing the use of Waterlase iPlus, GentleWave and Passive Ultrasonic Instrumentation for root canal disinfection. The outcomes presented will include data on both patient and operator survey feedback, post operative pain and radiographic healing at 12 months. The aims of the presentation are to provide operators with knowledge governing the use and efficacy of advanced disinfection techniques which supplement syringe irrigation.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe the science behind the use of Erbium, Chromium: YSGG lasers and GentleWave for root canal disinfection
• List the shortcomings of syringe  based delivery of irrigants for root canal disinfection and debridement
• Evaluate factors and outcomes which influence which type of irrigation device is most suitable for advanced root canal disinfection

CE Hours: 1.25

Description: Traditional definitions of endodontic care often emphasize localized treatment goals while neglecting broader impacts on systemic health and quality of life. A more comprehensive, patient-centered approach-aligned with the principles of P4 Medicine (predictive, preventive, personalized, and participatory)-may enhance the efficacy, accessibility, and relevance of endodontic therapy.Pulpal disease affects an estimated 30% of the global population, with substantial unmet treatment needs resulting in pain, tooth loss, and diminished daily function. While standardized competencies and technical quality measures guide clinical care, evolving concepts of oral health call for broader success criteria-incorporating patient-reported outcomes and long-term wellness.The integration of P4 principles into endodontic care encourages a proactive shift: predictive diagnostics can help identify individuals at elevated risk; preventive strategies, including minimally invasive care and public health initiatives, may reduce disease incidence; personalization of treatment based on genetics, behavior, and health history enhances clinical precision; and participatory care empowers patients through shared decision-making and education.Yet, significant barriers remain. The high cost of specialist training and inequities in access to care limit the global scalability of these approaches. Expanding educational opportunities, incorporating dental auxiliaries, and leveraging emerging technologies are essential for closing these gaps.This presentation will examine the relationship between endodontic disease and general health, evaluate how evolving treatment goals inform clinical decision-making, and explore practical strategies for implementing P4 concepts in diverse care settings to support lifelong oral health.<br/><br/>

Learning Objectives:  

• Discuss the global burden of endodontic disease and its impact on systemic health and quality of life.
• Apply patient-centered and P4-based principles to guide endodontic treatment planning and outcome assessment.
• Identify barriers to delivering optimal care globally and explore models to enhance access, efficiency, and equity.

CE Hours: 1.0

Description: MIE access and canal preparations have been greatly advanced by the introduction of various NaOCl enhancement  methods to endodontic irrigation. The most powerful, efficient, and effective of them--multi-sonic, laser, and closed-system negative pressure irrigation devices--are based on cavitation physics. On a molecular level, cavitation turns out to be one of the most powerful forces in nature and as it generates sonic energy, it is ideally suited for cleaning the smallest regions of the smallest root canal preparations, often without any instrumentation at all. This presentation will illuminate the physical forces brought to bear by cavitation and the clinical efficacies delivered when that energy is applied to NaOCl in human root canal systems. Most advantageous in the pursuit of MIE, cavitated NaOCl is seen to work as effectively or more effectively in root canal preparations that are left in their original apical morphologic state than those which have been over-instrumented, due mostly to the narrowing confines of tapered root canal preps which amplifies this sound energy when projected from coronal to apical regions of the RCS.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe how cavitation of NaOCl is ideally suited to cleaning minimally-invasive root canal preparations.
• Discriminate between methods of cavitating sodium hypochlorite, specifically their actual methods of action--beyond marketing claims by manufacturers--but also in their safety of application.
• Choose an enhanced irrigation protocol that will deliver success at the lowest device cost and with the least amount of chairside time spent.

CE Hours: 1.5

Description: Digital dentistry is rapidly evolving, and endodontic surgery is at the forefront of this transformation. While CBCT remains a cornerstone of diagnosis and planning, new technologies are reshaping the surgical workflow from visualization to execution. This lecture will showcase how tools such as 3D printing, digital planning software, and immersive platforms like augmented and virtual reality can enhance precision, improve clinical confidence, and expand treatment possibilities. Using case examples and practical workflows, we will explore how these technologies integrate into daily practice, helping clinicians deliver safer, more predictable, and patient-centered surgical care

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe how digital planning tools complement traditional CBCT imaging in surgical case assessment.
• Explain the role of 3D printing and virtual surgical simulation in enhancing precision and safety.
• Assess the clinical benefits and limitations of adopting digital technologies for targeted microsurgical procedures.

CE Hours: 1.5

Description: Dynamic navigation is one of the most exciting technological advances in endodontics, offering real-time guidance and improved accuracy for access preparation, canal location, and microsurgical procedures. Current studies highlight its potential to enhance outcomes and reduce operator stress. However, the cost and logistical demands may limit widespread adoption. This presentation will explore the science and applications of dynamic navigation, while also translating key principles that can be applied to everyday practice. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how to integrate navigation-inspired concepts into their freehand endodontic surgery and nonsurgical techniques, improving precision and predictability without necessarily investing in a device.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe the principles of dynamic navigation technology and compare its advantages over traditional freehand endodontic access techniques.
• Demonstrate how to plan and execute guided surgical access using dynamic navigation systems in everyday clinical practice.
• Evaluate case selection, recognize limitations, and integrate dynamic navigation concepts into daily endodontic surgical practice

CE Hours: 1.5

Description: For endodontists, it is easy to assume that any radiolucency associated with pain is of pulpal or inflammatory origin, especially if the tooth has a significant restorative history.  However, numerous disease entities of variable clinical significance can be identified in the periapical region and differentiating the typical endodontic presentation from that of a potentially more life threatening or insidious etiology is of critical importance to ensure ideal management and outcome.  This review, based on clinical cases, will highlight the limitations of pulp testing, periapical imaging and cone beam computerized tomography.  A systematic method to develop a differential diagnosis of periapical pathology will be the main focus of this discussion.

Learning Objectives:  

• Recognize the limits of available technology and issues related to pulp testing and radiographic imaging.
• Describe how the growth pattern of the various pathologies affects clinical management and recurrence rates
• Discuss the radiographic changes consistent with non-inflammatory etiologies and recognize when referral for biopsy is indicated.