CE Hours: 1.5

Description: Regenerative endodontics has been recognized as a unique protocol in the practitioner's armamentarium to harness the regenerative potential of periapical tissues, facilitating continued root development and regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex, particularly in immature necrotic teeth. Preclinical and clinical research have significantly enhanced our understanding of the key factors contributing to success and failure. In this presentation, we will share the most recent data and protocols for regenerative endodontics, as well as emerging tissue engineering technologies aimed at regenerating lost tissues. Dr. Botero will discuss the clinical rationale and protocols in regenerative endodontics, along with clinical evidence, outcomes, and limitations of these protocols. Dr. Bottino will then explore the current status and clinical potential of tissue engineering in endodontics, including applications in regenerative endodontics and vital pulp therapy, ongoing materials and technologies, preclinical and translational research, as well as barriers and opportunities.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe the fundamental principles and clinical protocols of regenerative endodontic procedures (REP), with emphasis on the latest evidence and outcomes and identify and analyze the clinical factors that influence the success and limitations of REP, including practical considerations for implementation and follow-up.
• Compare and contrast conventional REP with modern tissue engineering technologies in terms of clinical potential, translational hurdles, and future impact on patient care.
• Compare and contrast conventional REP with modern tissue engineering technologies in terms of clinical potential, translational hurdles, and future impact on patient care. the audience will be also able to recognize the key challenges and opportunities in advancing from current regenerative protocols toward fully functional tissue engineering solutions for endodontic regeneration.

CE Hours: 0.75

Description: Minimally Invasive Endodontic Microsurgery. What is this? Are we really doing it? There is a consensus about what minimally invasive endodontics is. We know it refers to contracted access, small taper preparations (shaping), preservation of the peri-cervical dentin and activation of irrigants in order to properly disinfect the root canal system. But when discussing endodontic microsurgery (EMS), there is no consensus about what is being minimally invasive. Being minimally invasive could be to save a poor prognosis tooth, preserving dentin as much as possible, preserving bone as much as possible, planning a guided EMS or doing everything with a ¨Micro¨ approach (Including the soft tissue). Several clinical cases for each previously mentioned topic will be shown and described step by step with proper follow up periods displaying a positive outcome. For the ¨Micro¨ approach, a comparison between conventional and laparoscopic minimally invasive medical surgery is made in order to show how the same goal can be achieved through two very different surgical accesses, one with a big, long incision and the other with a couple of very small incisions. As endodontists we can also perform EMS trough conventional large flaps or with very small incisions achieving excellent results in less time, less risk of complications and less postoperative pain for our patients. All of these thanks to all the technology we have available at the moment like the operative microscope, micro-surgical instruments, cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), intra-oral scanning, 3D planning software, and computer aided dynamic navigation devices among others.

Learning Objectives:  

• Determine that the combination of several aspects can lead to a minimally invasive endodontic microsurgery.
• Differentiate different types of minimally invasive surgical accesses to properly perform an endodontic microsurgery.
• Conclude what a minimally invasive endodontic microsurgery really is.

CE Hours: 1.0

Description: Acute apical abscesses are known for rapid-onset pain and swelling from pulp necrosis. While typically associated with polymicrobial infections, recent research suggests that active herpesvirus infections may also contribute. This randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled trial aimed to evaluate if valacyclovir, when combined with amoxicillin, can consistently manage pain and how individual patients respond within a larger population.

At the conclusion of this article, the reader will be able to: 

• Explain the proposed role of herpesviruses, particularly HCMV and EBV, in the pathogenesis and severity of acute apical abscesses. 
  
• Describe the rationale for using adjunctive valacyclovir with systemic antibiotics in patients with acute apical abscesses and moderate-to-severe persistent pain. 
• Evaluate the study design, eligibility criteria, and primary clinical outcomes used to assess whether adjunctive valacyclovir accelerates pain reduction and decreases analgesic use.

CE Hours: 1.0

Description: The presentation will focus on endodontic surgery and its peculiarities. It will begin with a brief introduction and a simple step-by-step clinical case. Then various clinical cases will be shown in which the endodontic lesion will be in contact with or within the sinus. This will be followed by a brief description of how to manage clinical cases near the alveolar nerve, and finally the periodontal part and its importance in endodontic surgery will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:  

• Manage modern endodontic surgery.
• Manage endodontic survey involving maxillary sinus.
• Manage periodontal approach to modern endodontic surgery.

CE Hours: 1.0

Description: Computer Guided Endodontic Solutions for Complex Cases. With the introduction of cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), intra-oral scanning, 3D planning software, 3D printers and computer aided dynamic navigation devices, It is possible to plan ahead, in a very precise, predictable, more conservative way computer aided procedures with lower clinical times for high difficulty cases, such as, severely calcified canals, endodontic microsurgery of cases with intact cortical bone close to important anatomical structures like the maxillary sinus, the mental foramen or the mandibular canal, and tooth autotransplantation of  both mature or immature teeth. The necessary digital work flow for static 3D-printed guides or dynamic virtual guides and the available scientific evidence will be discussed in detail as well as the clinical protocols and required armamentarium.  Several clinical cases of each type of guided treatment will be shown and described step by step with proper follow up periods displaying a positive outcome.

Learning Objectives:  

• List the digital work flow necessary to perform computer aided endodontic treatments.
• Evaluate if a specific case is indicated, or not, to be treated with a computer aided or guided procedure.
• Discuss the possibility of offering these types of treatments to a patient.

CE Hours:0

Description: It's only one concept in endodontics: elimination of bacteria and the pulp tissue from the root canal system while preserving maximum tooth structure for restoration and function. The purpose of endodontic therapy is to remove all the inflamed and necrotic tissues in the pulp, as well as the bacterial component, making the pulp and the root canals of the tooth as clean as possible. Making the root canals as clean as possible (one of the predictor factors for endodontic success) increases the predictability of our treatments.

Scouting canals technique improves the shaping, disinfection, and obturation of the root canal system with cheap tools and a simple approach.

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe the aim of this procedure
• Explain the details of the technique
• Discuss documented cases and to realize that this is a teachable, repeatable, and reproducible technique