
Pulpal Diagnoses
Pulpal Diagnoses
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Product not yet rated Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.5
Description: “Cracked teeth” is one of the most widely debated, disputed and misunderstood topics in dentistry. The confusion and misunderstandings stem largely from early work on cracks and the lack of a good definition of a crack. Many dentists are confused about cracks and fractures, and they use these terms interchangeably even though they represent different problems. The confusion and misunderstanding also stem from traditional approaches to dealing with cracks in teeth which has largely been a mechanical approach. Whilst cracks are a weakness in the tooth structure, they are also a pathway for bacteria to enter the tooth and cause pulp disease. Symptoms associated with cracks in teeth come from the pulp and therefore it is essential to diagnose the pulp status and then manage the bacterial aspect of cracks rather than just dealing with them as a mechanical problem. This lecture will define cracks, explore the effects of cracks on teeth and provide guidelines for the diagnosis and management of teeth with cracks – especially teeth with reversible pulpitis, which can be managed conservatively.
Learning Objectives:
- Define cracks and fractures and differentiate between them.
- Explain that cracks are an etiology of various diseases, and not a disease or a syndrome.
- Outline the consequences of cracks in teeth.
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Product not yet rated Includes Credits
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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Product not yet rated Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.0
Description: Pulpotomy is a proven treatment option for permanent teeth with pulp involvement, showing high success rates similar to root canal treatment. General anesthesia (GA) is used when traditional dental procedures are not feasible, especially in pediatric cases. Despite its effectiveness, limited data on endodontic treatments under GA is available, with many guidelines favoring extractions. This study aimed to evaluate the success rate of pulpotomies performed under GA on children’s first permanent molars and to identify factors influencing treatment outcomes.
At the conclusion of this article, the reader will be able to:
- Describe the success rates and clinical outcomes of pulpotomy procedures performed under general anesthesia in first permanent molars.
- Identify the factors influencing the choice of endodontic treatment plans under general anesthesia and the criteria for referring patients for GA.
- Evaluate the advantages of pulpotomy compared to root canal treatment, especially in the context of general anesthesia and its clinical challenges.
Shlomo Elbahary, DMD, PhD
Dr. Shlomo Elbahary is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry, serving in the Endodontic Department. Dr. Elbahary earned his D.M.D. from Tel Aviv University, where he also completed a postgraduate program in endodontics. He later obtained his Ph.D. in radicular microbiology from the University of Amsterdam. With extensive experience in both clinical practice and academia, Dr. Elbahary specializes in endodontic treatments, with a particular focus on young patients, special needs patients, and severe trauma cases. He is passionate about teaching and mentoring students, fostering an environment of excellence and continuous learning in dental education. Dr. Elbahary has numerous publications and chapters in peer-reviewed journals and books and gave numerous presentations internationally.
Dr. Elbahary's scholarly interests include the study of radicular microbiology, bacterial biofilm invasion in dentinal tubules, and the evaluation of endodontic materials and techniques. His research bridges the gap between basic science and clinical practice, aiming to improve treatment outcomes and advance the field of endodontics.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Bradford R. Johnson, D.D.S., M.H.P.E.
Dr. Johnson completed his DDS at Virginia Commonwealth University, endodontic training at UIC, and earned an MHPE from UIC in 2005. He is a Diplomate and former President of the American Board of Endodontics and a Fellow of both the American and International Colleges of Dentists. He served as President of the Illinois Association of Endodontists, a Board Director for the American Association of Endodontists, and Commissioner for CODA. Dr. Johnson has published over 70 peer-reviewed articles and abstracts and co-authored 18 textbook chapters.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Ronald Wigler
Graduate of the School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University, and of the Endodontics and Dental Trauma residency program at Rambam Medical Center, Haifa. Lecturer, researcher, and postgraduate program director in the Department of Endodontics, School of Dental Medicine, Tel Aviv University. Has published numerous articles in international journals. Member of the board of the Israeli Endodontic Society and currently serves as the society’s treasurer. Owns a private practice in Tel Aviv specializing in endodontics.
Hagay Slutzky
Hagay Slutzky graduated cum laude from the Hebrew University in 1986 and earned his D.M.D. from Tel Aviv University in 1989, finishing first in his class. He specializes in esthetic dentistry and later completed a specialty in Public Health Dentistry and an M.P.H. from Hebrew University. Since 1989, he has been part of the Department of Oral Rehabilitation at Tel Aviv University. He currently serves as Chief Dental Officer for Clalit Smile, Israel’s largest DSO. Dr. Slutzky is active in several professional associations and is a member of the Israeli national dental advisory board. He has lectured widely and published on esthetic and restorative dentistry.
Sigalit Blumer
Professor Sigalit Blumer is a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry and served as the Head of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Tel Aviv University. She has authored numerous articles and research studies in international journals, focusing on child behavior in dental clinics, sleep apnea, and ADHD in children. Her work includes computerized anesthesia and sedation, as well as the oral microbiome and pulp therapy. Professor Blumer has been dedicated to teaching dental students and residents and is an esteemed lecturer both in Israel and internationally, sharing her expertise at various conferences and workshops. She serves on university committees and national boards that shape guidelines for pediatric dentistry in Israel.
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Product not yet rated Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.0
Description: Fear of dentistry, often due to past painful experiences, is a significant barrier preventing patients from visiting dentists. Achieving effective pain control, especially during root canal treatments, is crucial. However, inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANBs) have a low success rate, influenced by factors such as anxiety, anatomical variations, and technique limitations, leading to anesthesia failure. Although numerous studies have examined the cold test and electric pulp test (EPT) in assessing the success of local anesthesia, no standardized method has been established. This study evaluated the effectiveness of EPT and cold tests in assessing the depth of anesthesia in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in the mandibular first molar teeth.
At the conclusion of this article, the reader will be able to:
- Describe the effectiveness of cold and electric pulp tests (EPT) in assessing the success of inferior alveolar nerve blocks (IANB) in patients with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis.
- Evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of the cold test and EPT in diagnosing pulpal anesthesia failure.
- Discuss the clinical implications of combining cold and electric pulp tests for improving diagnostic accuracy in determining pulpal anesthesia success.
Farzaneh Afkhami, DDS, MSc
Dr. Farzaneh Afkhami is a board-certified endodontist and an associate professor at the Department of Endodontics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and holds an academic affiliation with the School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Australia. She has authored over 50 research papers related to endodontics in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. Her work has garnered over 1.3 K citations and an h-index of 19 on Google Scholar. Dr. Afkhami has shared her findings at international scientific conferences and has supervised both
undergraduate and postgraduate students. Additionally, she holds a patent on a nanomaterial product as a root canal medicament, further advancing the field of endodontics.
Sholeh Ghabraei, DDS, MSc
Dr Sholeh Ghabraei is board-certified specialist in endodontics. She currently serves as associate professor in endodontics department, Dental school, Tehran university of medical sciences. Her research focuses on various aspects of endodontics including randomized controlled trials of anesthesia and pain control. She published 44 peer reviewed manuscripts.
Nasim Hashemi, DDS, MSc
Dr. Nasim Hashemi is a board-certified specialist in Endodontics. She achieved 2nd rank in the Iranian Endodontic Board Examination in 2025. Her research focuses on various aspects of endodontics including randomized controlled trials of anesthesia and pain control and broken instrument removal.
She has published nine peer-reviewed manuscripts, contributing to advancements in endodontic science.
Ove A. Peters, D.M.D., Ph.D., M.Sc.
Dr. Ove A. Peters joined the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia, in 2020 after faculty positions in Heidelberg, Germany and Zurich, Switzerland, as well as at the University of California, San Francisco. He currently serves as the Professor of Endodontics and Head of Clinical Dentistry at UQ. Before moving to Australia, Dr. Peters was the founding director of the postgraduate endodontic program at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, a professor with tenure and the Chair of the Department of Endodontics at that school.
Dr. Peters has wide-ranging clinical and research expertise and has published more than 230 manuscripts related to endodontic technology and biology. He has authored two books and contributed to several leading textbooks in dentistry; he also is an associate editor for the International Endodontic Journal as well as the Australian Endodontic Journal, an academic editor for PLOS One and serves on the review panel of multiple other journals. Among others awards, Dr Peters has received the Hans Genet Award of the European Society of Endodontology and more recently the Louis I. Grossman Award of the American Association of Endodontists. He is a Diplomate of the ABE, a member of OKU and a Fellow of the International and American Colleges of Dentistry.
Disclosure(s): Dentsply Sirona: Grant/Research Support (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing)
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.75
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 a variety of diagnostic roadblocks including the limitations of pulp testing and radiographic interpretation of periapical images and cone beam computerized tomography. Advanced endodontic diagnosis with systematic method for the development of a differential diagnosis of periapical radiolucencies 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.
- Incorporate a systematic method to formulate a differential diagnosis of radiographic lesions found in the periradicular areas.
- Discuss the radiographic changes consistent with non-inflammatory etiologies and recognize when referral for biopsy is indicated.
David Landwehr, D.D.S., M.S.
Endodontist
Capital Endodontics
Dr. David Landwehr earned his D.D.S. at the University of Minnesota. He received an M.S. degree and certificate in oral and maxillofacial pathology at The Ohio State University followed by specialty training in endodontics at the University of Michigan. Dr. Landwehr has been a private practice clinician for more than twenty years and for the last ten years has provided exemplary patient care at Capital Endodontics in Madison, WI.
Dr. Landwehr’s ongoing work as an educator and opinion leader has positioned him at the forefront of modern endodontic treatment. Dr. Landwehr authored the chapter titled Lesions That Mimic Endodontic Pathosis for the most recent edition of Cohen’s Pathways of the Pulp and was the Chief of Endodontics for the Meriter Hospital general practice residency for more than ten years. He has lectured extensively on endodontic diagnosis and oral pathology both nationally and internationally. His teaching focuses on techniques used daily in his clinical practice that are efficient, predictable and evidence based.
Disclosure(s): Dentsply Sirona Endodontic SBU: Honorarium (Ongoing); Surround Medical: Advisory Board (Ongoing)
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.0
Description: Chronic inflammation in irreversible pulpitis leads to heightened sensitivity of nociceptive receptors, resulting in persistent hyperalgesia. This poses significant challenges in achieving effective anesthesia for patients with irreversible pulpitis. Various anesthetic techniques and pharmacological approaches have been employed to enhance the success of local anesthesia. Recently, the preemptive use of anti-inflammatory agents, specifically corticosteroids, has gained attention and shown promising results in randomized controlled trials. This systemic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of systemically administered corticosteroids on enhancing anesthetic success in patients undergoing endodontic treatment.
At the conclusion of this article, the reader will be able to:
- Explain the inflammatory nature of pain in irreversible pulpitis and how it can adversely affect the success of local anesthesia, especially in mandibular molars.
- Discuss the pharmacology of corticosteroids and their potent anti-inflammatory effect.
- Evaluate the body of evidence regarding the ability of corticosteroids in increasing the success of local anesthesia in irreversible pulpitis.
Norah Alajlan, BDS, MS
Dr. Norah Alajlan earned her BDS degree from King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Consequently, she obtained her post-graduate training in endodontics and Masters in Oral Biology from the University of Pennsylvania. Currently, she is working as a full- time faculty at King Saud University.
Alonso Carrasco-Labra, DDS, MSc, PhD
Bekir Karabucak, D.M.D., M.S.
Dr. Karabucak is Associate Professor/Clinician Educator, Interim Chair and Director of post-graduate program in the Department of Endodontics. Dr. Karabucak serves as director of Advanced Dental Education in the School of Dental Medicine. After earning his dental degree from Istanbul University School of Dental Medicine in 1993, Dr. Karabucak completed his endodontic postgraduate training at the Department of Endodontics at Penn, where he also received his Masters in Oral Biology in 1998. He later earned his DMD degree from Penn Dental Medicine in 2002. He’s the attending endodontist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia since 2005. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. He lectured at national and international conferences and also serves as a reviewer for the Journal of Endodontics.
Su-Min Lee, DDS, MSD, DScD
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Product not yet rated Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.5
Description: This session will cover current literature on the clinical and radiographic outcome of vital pulp therapy procedures with particular focus on full pulpotomy. Among the issues that will be covered are patient's and tooth related factors, technical procedure, material selection, and their effect on the outcome. Results from clinical trials performed with standardized protocols at Jordan University of Science and Technology will be presented. In addition this session will cover the available evidence on pulpotomy as an alternative to root canal therapy.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the limitation of available diagnostic modalities for the state of pulp inflammation and its healing potential.
- Describe biological basis for VPT procedures and draw cut off points for the selection of pulp capping and pulpotomy
- Analyze available literature on prognostic factors and outcome of VPT.
Nessrin A. Taha, BDS, GradDipClinDent, DClinDent, PhD
Dr Taha is professor of Endodontics, former Vice Dean and director of postgraduate clinics at Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology. She also Seves as chairman of the scientific and examination committee for Jordan Dental Board Examination in endodontics, and a memer of the ethics committee and institutional review board at king Abdullah University Hospital.
Dr Taha obtained her speciality in Endodontics and PhD from the University of Melbourne in Australia. She is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of dental Surgeons in both the general stream and the special fields of Endodontics and has been awarded Sutherland Prize for outstanding performance in the colleage examination in 2005. She was also awraded the victorian women dentist prize for outstanding female at the Australian Dental Council Exam.
Dr Taha has a long standing interest in clinical research on preserving pulp vitality and regenerative endodontics, She is currently running several trials on the topic for which short to medium term results have been already published. She lectured on vital pulp therapy in national and international conferences and coauthored a book chapter on the topic. She serves as an editorial board member in the International Endodontic Journal, BMC oral health and Saudi Endodontic Journal.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.
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.5
Description: Many dentists find it very challenging to differentiate between the different types of tooth resorption, which leads to uncertainty regarding the treatment required. There are 11 different types of resorption and each type requires different management so it is essential to know which type is present. However, historically, there has been conflicting and confusing terminology used to classify and diagnose tooth resorption. During this lecture, a clinical classification will be presented with justification for the use of specific terminology. Each of the 11 types of resorption will be described to enable easy diagnosis and an outline of the principles of management of each type of resorption will provide clinicians with guidelines to use in their own cases. Examples showing the outcomes of these treatment protocols will also be presented.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the 11 types of tooth resorption and their clinical and radiographic features.
- Differentially diagnose the different types of tooth resorption.
- Outline the general management options for each type of resorption.
Paul V. Abbott, B.D.Sc., M.D.S., FRACDS(Endo)
Paul Abbott is Emeritus Professor of Dentistry at The University of Western Australia. He is a Specialist Endodontist with over 45 years of clinical practice experience. Prior to taking a full-time University position in 2002, he spent 17 years in private specialist endodontic practice and he also held part-time academic positions at The University of Western Australia and The University of Melbourne. He was Dean and Head of the School of Dentistry at The University of Western Australia and Director of the Oral Health Centre of Western Australia from 2003-2009. He has presented over 1000 lectures and courses in 52 countries. He has over 420 publications with 259 articles in refereed journals, 25 textbook chapters and 51 Newsletter articles. From 2015-2022, he was the Editor-in-Chief of the international journal Dental Traumatology. Prof. Abbott’s main research and clinical interests revolve around dental traumatology, tooth resorption, and the diagnosis and management of pulp, root canal and peri-radicular conditions, with particular emphasis on pain control and disinfection of the root canal system. He has received numerous awards for his teaching and service to the dental profession, including Honorary Life Memberships of several professional societies and associations. In 2015, he was appointed by the Governor-General of Australia as an Officer of the Order of Australia, and in 2024, he received the Jens O. Andreasen Lifetime Achievement Award in Dental Traumatology from the International Association for Dental Traumatology. At this year's Annual Session, he will receive the Louis I. Grossman Award from the AAE in recognition of his cumulative publications of significant research studies that have made an extraordinary contribution to endodontology.
Disclosure(s): OzDent Pty Ltd: Consultant/Scientific Advisor (Ongoing), Honorarium (Ongoing), Other Research Support (includes receipt of drugs, supplies, equipment or other in-kind support) (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing)
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 1.25
Description: Endodontics is about more than saving teeth. It is easy to assume that any radiolucency associated with pain is of pulpal origin, especially if the tooth has a significant restorative history. However, numerous non-inflammatory pathologies of variable clinical significance can be identified in the periapical region. Differentiating the typical endodontic presentation from that of a more insidious etiology is of critical importance to ensure ideal management and outcome. Additionally, intra-oral examination should include a screening of the soft tissues for any abnormalities related to the dental pulp. A thorough evaluation of the soft tissues may result in the identification of pathologies not related to pulp inflammation. These changes can be reactive or neoplastic requiring timely and appropriate management to ensure the best prognosis. This discussion, based exclusively on clinical cases, will cover a variety of soft tissue and bone abnormalities to review the most relevant oral pathologies every endodontist needs to know.
Learning Objectives:
- Incorporate a systematic method to formulate a differential diagnosis of radiographic lesions found in the periradicular areas.
- Describe the growth pattern of soft tissues lesions to help differentiate reactive from neoplastic.
- Discuss the radiographic changes consistent with non-inflammatory etiologies and recognize when referral for biopsy is indicated.
David J. Landwehr, D.D.S., M.S.
Dr. David Landwehr earned his D.D.S. at the University of Minnesota. He received an M.S. degree and certificate in oral and maxillofacial pathology at The Ohio State University followed by specialty training in endodontics at the University of Michigan. Dr. Landwehr has been a private practice clinician for more than twenty years and for the last nine years has provided exemplary patient care at Capital Endodontics in Madison, WI.
Dr. Landwehr’s ongoing work as an educator and opinion leader has positioned him at the forefront of modern endodontic treatment. Dr. Landwehr authored the chapter titled Lesions That Mimic Endodontic Pathosis for the most recent edition of Cohen’s Pathways of the Pulp and was the Chief of Endodontics for the Meriter Hospital general practice residency for more than ten years. He has lectured extensively on endodontic diagnosis and oral pathology both nationally and internationally. His teaching focuses on techniques used daily in his clinical practice that are efficient, predictable and evidence based.
Disclosure(s): Surround Medical: Ownership Interest (stocks, stock options, patent or other intellectual property or other ownership interest excluding diversified mutual funds) (Ongoing), Speaker/Honoraria (includes speakers bureau, symposia, and expert witness) (Ongoing)
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Includes Credits
CE Hours: 0.75
Description: This lecture will provide an overview of the pulp-periodontal continuum and describe the potential pathways of communication between the root canal system and the periodontal tissues. The etiology and treatment of endodontic-periodontal lesions will be presented. Other potential causes of localized periodontal destruction will be discussed including radicular grooves, enamel pearls, root fractures, and cemental tears, with an emphasis on multidisciplinary management.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the potential routes of communication between the root canal system and the periodontal tissues.
- Accurately evaluate and manage endodontic-periodontal lesions.
- List the potential causes of localized periodontal destruction and discuss the multidisciplinary management of these lesions.
Craig A. Dunlap, D.D.S.
Craig Dunlap, DDS graduated from UCSF School of Dentistry in 1994. He then went on to receive his certificate in Endodontics from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1996. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. He was in private practice for 21 years and is now a full-time associate professor at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, serving as the Vice-Chair of the Endodontics Department and the Director of Pre-Doctoral Endodontics.
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
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