SP-34 Saving Patients' Lives Through Accurate Endodontic Diagnoses
CE Hours: 0.75
Description: Radiographic imaging requires recognition of typical anatomic structures and distinction from a vast array of pathologic processes. Accurate diagnostic assessment often entails recognizing normal and abnormal radiographic features coincident with synthesizing clinical and available historical information. When clinicians are confronted with interpreting various radiographic curiosities and unusual disease presentations, pulp vitality testing is crucial to determine correct pulp and periapical diagnoses, followed by appropriate treatment. Several examples of diagnostic challenges and radiographic oddities mimicking periradicular lesions of endodontic origin, culled from the records of the presenter’s 35 years of practice, will be exhibited and discussed. Several cases displaying anomalous oral findings and referred for endodontic treatment were diagnosed as malignant conditions and subsequently treated successfully, thanks to accurate and timely endodontic diagnoses.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate radiographic oddities with clinical skepticism.
- Perform thorough and accurate pulp vitality tests to treatment plan oral diseases appropriately.
- List and discuss nonodontogenic conditions mimicking radiographic lesions of endodontic origin.
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Michael J. Ribera, D.MD, M.S.
Dr. Ribera is a 1984 graduate of Boston College and a 1989 graduate of Harvard School of Dental Medicine. In 1990, he completed a general practice residency at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and in 1992 received his Certificate in Endodontics and Master of Science Degree from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago.
Dr. Ribera is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, a member of the Endodontic College of Diplomates, a specialist member of the American Association of Endodontists, and a Fellow of the International College of Dentists. He is the 2006 recipient of the District of Columbia Dental Society’s David Mast Memorial Award for excellence in continuing education. Dr. Ribera is in full-time practice and maintains three offices in the Washington, D.C. Metro Area.
Speaker Disclosure
I declare that I have no proprietary, financial, or other personal interest of any nature or kind in any product, service, course, and/or company, or in any firm beneficially associated therewith, that will be discussed or considered during the proposed presentation.