CE Hours: 1.5

Description: Systemic diseases and the medications used to treat them play an important role in the incidence and prevalence of endodontic disease and in the healing following endodontic treatment. This presentation will examine recent data on chronic systemic medications and outline important considerations for clinicians as they discuss the treatment plan and prognosis with patients and interact with other health providers regarding the optimal care of the patients.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe the level of evidence in the literature on the association of systemic medications and endodontic diseases and their treatment outcomes.
• Describe systemic medications with potential effects on endodontic case incidence and presentation
• Describe systemic medications that may influence the outcome of endodontic treatment.

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: File separation remains a persistent and frustrating challenge in root canal preparation. Despite the abundance of literature offering tips and techniques to minimize this risk-and even more articles and devices focused on retrieval of separated files-the problem continues to be prevalent. Studies report a 2-6% incidence of file separation in overall endodontic cases, with 80-83% occurring in molar teeth, where canals are tighter and more curved-the daily battleground of the endodontist. This presentation explores solutions: What truly can reduce file separation?
Is it RPMs settings? Torque settings? File design or cross-section? File control and directional movement? File metallurgy? Operator technique error? Or perhaps the steep learning curve for mastering rotary instrumentation? We'll explore these questions through a review of current literature, clinical experience, and a candid discussion of what may be the "Elephant in the Room" of endodontics.

Learning Objectives:  

• Identify pre-operative and initial canal management steps to evaluate and assess the risk of file separation.
• Evaluate the techniques and devices that can be utilized to reduce or prevent file separation.
• Describe how the application of "Slow-Down Rotary Instrumentation" in difficult and challenging cases can reduce the rate of motor file separation without compromising root canal preparation ideals.

CE Hours: 0.75

Description: Endodontics has achieved significant progress in both diagnostic procedures and therapeutic approaches. However, the pharmacological management of acute endodontic pain still relies heavily on conventional strategies, predominantly based on systemic monotherapy. Although many of these approaches are clinically effective, their inappropriate or excessive use has contributed to relevant public health issues, particularly due to the misuse and overprescription of certain drugs. In this context, an important question arises: where should the future of acute endodontic pain management be directed? While the development of new analgesic drugs remains a long and expensive process, more accessible short-term alternatives may be considered. These include the combination of existing pharmacological agents to achieve synergistic effects, as well as the design of advanced drug delivery systems aimed at modulating peripheral mechanisms of pain transmission.Multimodal analgesia, through the use of synergistic combinations, allows for a shift in prescription habits-offering enhanced analgesic efficacy, reduced side effects, and shorter treatment durations. Furthermore, the incorporation of hydrogels, nanomaterials, and polymeric scaffolds as carriers for localized, controlled drug release presents a promising alternative that may significantly reduce the need for systemic drug exposure. This lecture explores currently available multimodal analgesic strategies in endodontics and discusses emerging peripheral alternatives that target pain control directly at its source. Such innovations may represent a paradigm shift in how dental professionals approach pharmacological pain management, promoting more precise, efficient, and safer therapeutic protocols.

Learning Objectives:  

• Recognize the peripheral and central mechanisms involved in the development of endodontic dental pain.
• Identify the principles to propose effective pharmacological combinations by analyzing multimodal strategies based on analgesic synergism.
• Identify emerging drug delivery systems as a strategy for the peripheral control of endodontic pain.

CE Hours: 1.0

Description: The endodontic community has seen widespread adoption of bioceramic sealers throughout the past 15 years due to their unique biocompatible properties.  Although modern root canal treatments are completed with a high level of success, there is an inherent need for retreatment procedures.  Unlike traditional sealers, however, bioceramic materials have presented the challenge of complete removal during root canal retreatment.  Until now, the focus of retreating bioceramic obturations has been on mechanical removal with or without adjunctive solvent use.  These techniques have mixed evidence-based support.  This presentation will explore modern retreatment techniques including mechanical activation as well as evaluating various solvents and their impacts on root canal retreatment.

Learning Objectives:  

• Review the goals of modern root canal retreatment procedures
• Discuss available solvents and techniques aimed at bioceramic retreatment
• Evaluate current scientific evidence on retreatment of bioceramic sealer-obturated canals

CE Hours: 0.75

Description: Clinicians face complex treatment decisions every day, often guided by their personal experience and established protocols. However, in endodontics, some of the most critical and challenging choices are the proper selection of biomaterials, particularly new-generation sealers and cements. With a constant influx of products and aggressive marketing, practitioners must navigate not only how to use these materials, but also which material should be used for each clinical case and whether their use is scientifically justified. This session will present a clinically grounded decision-making framework to simplify the selection process. By applying evidence-based criteria to biomaterial choice, endodontists can improve clinical outcomes and preserve teeth that might otherwise be deemed unsalvageable.

Learning Objectives:  

• Describe the physicochemical and biological properties of endodontic biomaterials.
• Discuss how the physicochemical and biological properties of the endodontic biomaterials will influence their clinical behavior.
  • Develop a decision-making tree for the utilization of biomaterials during a clinical case.

CE Hours: 1.25

Description: For generations, endodontists have been taught that the goal of obturation is to hermetically seal the root canal system-blocking microbial reinvasion and promoting periapical healing. But in today's world, where social media often glorifies radiographic aesthetics over biological function, have we drifted from our true purpose? In this presentation, Dr. Allen Ali Nasseh takes attendees on an inspiring journey through the history of obturation-from early scientific principles to modern techniques-reframing its core purpose around biology and mechanics rather than imagery. Looking ahead, emerging technologies promise greater precision and customization, while regenerative approaches may redefine the very goals of endodontics. Dr. Nasseh challenges clinicians to embrace these innovations in light of the disease model's established scientific principles, while resisting the pull of radiographic artistry.By exploring obturation's past, assessing its present, and projecting its future, this session equips attendees with evidence-based strategies to achieve functional, durable seals-ensuring clinical success in an era where truth must prevail over marketing trends.

Learning Objectives:  

• Recognize how shifting philosophies have influenced clinical decision-making over time.
• Become familiar with the evolution of Endodontic obturation materials and techniques from the past to the present.
• Explore emerging technologies and regenerative approaches that may redefine endodontic goals.

CE Hours: 1.5

Description: Post-treatment pain remains one of the most significant concerns for both patients and providers following root canal treatment. This session will explore the latest evidence and clinical strategies for recognizing, preventing, and managing pain after endodontic therapy. Experts will review the differential diagnosis and management of acute posttreatment pain, highlight advances in understanding the mechanisms and risk factors for persistent pain, and discuss findings from practice-based research that reflect real-world outcomes across diverse practice settings.

Learning Objectives:  

• Diagnose and manage acute posttreatment pain using evidence-based strategies for pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions.
• Recognize the risk factors, mechanisms, and clinical presentation of persistent pain following root canal treatment and apply current management approaches.
• Interpret findings from practice-based research on posttreatment pain and integrate these insights into everyday clinical practice.

CE Hours: 1.5

Description: As endodontics advances into a new era of technological innovation, practitioners have access to an increasingly broad range of adjunctive irrigation devices and disinfection techniques. Technologies such as lasers and multisonic systems offer the potential for enhanced clinical outcomes; however, their efficacy warrants careful evaluation. This presentation will provide an in-depth review of adjunctive irrigation techniques-including sonics, ultrasonics, lasers, multisonic systems, and other emerging technologies-framed within the principles of evidence-based endodontics. Participants will gain comprehensive insights into the existing research landscape, including its current limitations, challenges, and prospects for future advancement. This session aims to present a balanced perspective to support informed decision-making and effective integration of innovations in contemporary endodontic practice.

Learning Objectives:  

• Revisit the fundamental goals of root canal disinfection and how modern irrigation devices may enhance or fall short of those goals.
• Discuss the challenges in generating high-quality evidence for adjunctive irrigation and the limitations of current research methodologies.
• Analyze the clinical effectiveness and limitations of advanced irrigation technologies.

CE Hours: 1.5

Description: Endodontists are the specialists uniquely positioned to diagnose, manage, and prognosticate cracked and fractured teeth.  Challenges of managing these cases abound due to multiple variables and inherent complexities. This presentation examines longitudinal tooth fractures from both a broad clinical perspective and a focused analysis of the literature to provide clarity on correct management. It specifically explores evidence-based modifications to our endodontic protocols that appear to improve the prognosis not just for endodontically-treated cracked teeth, but for all of our procedures generally . Recent clinical evidence suggests that treatment of cracked teeth, including those with radicular extension, can provide lasting benefits for patients and that the alternative of extraction and implant poses a significantly inferior option. Ours is the specialty of saving compromised teeth and this presentation reports insights into how we can provide more of this service to our patients and bolster our outcomes.

Learning Objectives:  

• Explain how recent studies indicate that with proper management, endodontically treated cracked teeth, even those with radicular extension of the crack, should have favorable prognoses
• Describe how new evidence-based modifications to our procedures and post-operative protocols help us control certain variables that are relevant to outcomes not only for treatment of cracked teeth, but for all of our surgical and non-surgical endodontic procedures
• Explain how, with the increasing awareness of dental implant problems and patients' resolve to save their teeth, we endodontists can help patients save even more of their compromised teeth.