Continuing Dental Education

Restoration of teeth with pulpal disease and teeth with clinical crowns damaged by decay or trauma has been part of dentistry for a long time. Successful outcomes have not always been predictable, but in recent years, evidence has accumulated that supports various treatment procedures.

This presentation will include information on such factors as tooth evaluation, treatment risks, research outcomes for various pertinent dental materials used in restoration of endodontically treated teeth, and important concepts in protecting remaining tooth structure.

At the completion of this course, the participants should be able to:

• Determine indications for including endodontics as part of the treatment plan
• Evaluate suitability of teeth for root canal treatment and prosthetic restoration
• Identify potential problems that can result in failure of endodontically treated teeth
• Recognize the need for retreatment of endodontically treated teeth
• Determine when and where posts are needed
• Understand current concepts for the restoration of endodontically treated teeth
• Enumerate the clinical factors that affects the longevity of an endodontically treated tooth
• Be aware of the decision criteria for cast post and cores vs. prefabricated posts
• Recognize different materials available for prefabricated posts
• Determine advantages and limitations of various types of prefabricated posts
• Select cements and method of cementation of posts
• Understand decision criteria for endodontic treatment vs. implant therapy
• Identify different core materials available for core build-up with an emphasis on their advantages and disadvantages