Continuing Education

Volume 33 No. 9 Page 118

Ten Myths About Endodontics:

Fact Versus Pulp Fiction
Authored by John West, DDS, MSD

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Continuing Education

Ten Myths About Endodontics:

Fact Versus Pulp Fiction
Effective Date: 9/1/2014

exist. This simple and richly supported biologic pathway is

sometimes lost in todays endodontic art and science. I
have identified 10 endodontic myths that have crept into (or
back into) endodontic literature and endodontic thought
processes and treatment considerations in recent years.
The purpose of this inquiry is to evaluate 10 common
myths that influence daily endodontic decision-making
plans. There are more controversial areas; however, I hope
this article will serve as a starting point to separate
endodontic fact from folklore fiction. In all endodontics there
is, of course, only one accurate diagnosis and, while there
may be several treatment plans, the successful endodontic
clinicians of the future must do the right thing every day by
asking the question, What would you [the clinician] do if
you were the patient? And, if we were to ask the patient the
same question, they will always ask the clinician
consciously or wonder unconsciously, What would you do
if it were you? Some myths, though widely believed, may
not be the truth when challenged under the experimental
model, involving both the lab bench and the clinical reality.
Myths can interfere with the essence of predictability during
the process of saving an endodontically diseased tooth in
the simplest form of daily endodontic treatment. It has often
been my personal experience that if the scientific
observations are different from the clinical observations,

Expiration Date: 9/1/2017

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. West is founder and director of the
Center for Endodontics in Tacoma,
Wash. He graduated from the University
of Washington Dental School and
received his MS degree and endodontic
certificate at Boston University, where he
was awarded the Alumni of the Year Award. He is an
educator and clinician, and his focus is interdisciplinary
endodontics. He has authored several textbook chapters
and is an editorial board member for the Journal of Esthetic
and Restorative Dentistry, Practical Procedures in
Aesthetic Dentistry, and the Journal of Microscope
Enhanced Dentistry. He can be reached toll-free at (800)
900-7668, via e-mail at the following address:
[email protected], or visit the Web site
centerforendodontics.com.
Disclosure: Dr. West is the co-inventor of ProTaper, WaveOne,
and Calamus technologies, in addition to ProGlider
(DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties).

INTRODUCTION
The late Drs. Sam Seltzer and I. B. Bender are quoted as
saying, a long time ago, that the pulp is a is a big issue
about a little tissue.1 Their quote is just as applicable today
as it was decades ago. There seems to be as much study
and research about a 15-mm piece of tissue as any piece
of tissue in the human body. So what is the big issue?
Fundamentally, endodontic biology and treatment are
as basic today as they were in the Seltzer and Bender days.
And, the theory of focal infection created pharmacology as
the stepchild to clinical endodontics, which then led to the
simple biology of endodontics: eliminate the source of
endodontic disease, and lesions of endodontic origin
(LEOs) will heal or will be prevented where they do not

Figures 1a and
1b. Myth No. 1:
Large lesions
extending the
length over several
teeth have a
diminished
capacity to heal.
(a) A large lesion
of endodontic
origin (LEO)
extending from
mandibular right
premolar to
mandibular left
premolar.
(b) Post-treatment
healing at 2 years.

Continuing Education

Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

then something is wrong with the science. My first of the 10
endodontic myths that will now be explored is just such an
example.

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 1

Large Endodontic Lesions Extending the Length of
Several Teeth Have a Diminished Capacity To Heal
What are the factors that promote endodontic healing?2,3
Remove the disease source. This fact is simple, and it is
profound. Get highly skilled at the mechanics of endodontics
and enjoy enormous endodontic success. Mother Nature has
little regard for the size of the LEO as a deterrent to healing.
The only clinically meaningful determinant is that the LEO is
contained within the attachment apparatus; and, the
periodontal vector is a sequelae of the LEO; and that the
gingival crevice sinus tract probes in a precipitous fashion
(Figure 1a). You may say, why? It is because, if the resulting
endo-perio lesion probes precipitously versus conical, the
sinus tract draining waterfall is simply wider than narrow.
Healing biology treats a narrow or wider sinus tract that results from a necrotic pulp in the very same way: Nature
rewards the clinician and patient by predictably healing, after
cleaning and disinfecting the entire root canal system of
necrotic debris, including bacteria, biofilm, and detached
collagen. Based on results, the large endodontic lesion
clinically heals, regardless if the endodontic lesion is lined
with epithelium, is a granuloma, or is an abscess (Figure 1b).
Clinicians who have performed endodontics day-in and dayout know this myth size to be false.
My clinical reality is that large LEOs do heal. It is the
quality of the endodontic seal that determines endodontic
healing, not the size of the lesion. Large or small, the rationale
for endodontics remains the same biology.

Figures 2a to 2c.
Myth No. 2: The
root canal system
is impossible to
disinfect. (a)
Shaped canals are
still not cleaned as
evidenced by
debris still present
in isthmus
between MB and
ML canals of a
mandibular molar.
(b and c) Clean
histological cross
sections from a
1970s graduate
thesis after one
hour of canal
cleaning and
preparation.

Figure 3. Myth No.

3: Minimally
invasive
endodontics (MIE)
is the new
endodontic
benchmark. This
is an image of a
maxillary molar
demonstrating 3
separate MB canal
conefits. A
conservative
restricted access
would have likely
prevented the successful discovery and treatment of the 3 MB canals.
Thus, MIE to this patient means an access that is as small as
appropriate, not as small as possible.

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 2

The Root Canal System Is Impossible To Disinfect
Experiments and studies in the 1970s by Gary Grey, then
an endodontic resident at Boston University Graduate
Endodontics, demonstrated that an hour per canal of
manual canal serial filing and reaming, followed by
confirming patency, followed by recapitulation (sequential
re-entry of previous files and reamers) and Gates Glidden
drills with copious sodium hypochlorite irrigation produced

clean histologic root canal radicular preparations (Figure 2).

While current irrigation protocols, irrigation solutions,
and activation systems are improving the effectiveness and
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Continuing Education

Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

predictability of root canal system
disinfection, studies suggest that 100%
disinfection cannot yet be achieved due to
biofilm structure, evolving resistant bacterial
strains, and anatomic culs-de-sac that are
unreachable and protected from current
cleaning and irrigation technique.4,5 The
future of disinfection may very well rely on
nanotechnology, laser, and/or techniques
and tools not yet thought of.
My clinical reality is that root canal
systems can be effectively and sufficiently
cleaned if the clinical time and proper
technique are practiced. Can endodontics do
better? Always. Of the classic endodontic
triangle of (1) disinfection, (2) preparation,
and (3) obturation, disinfection is a main
focus of current endodontic investigation and
holds enormous promise for the little tissue.

a
9 Obturation possibilities.
How many are 3-D?

Figures 4a and 4b. Myth No. 4: Short endodontic fillings have a better prognosis than long
endodontic fillings. (a) Diagram shows 9 possible vertical and 3-D combinations of
endodontic obturation. (b) Only D and G are examples of 3-D filling or overfilling. All other 7
possibilities are examples of underfilling. (Hash marks represent gutta-percha obturation.)

and/or not sufficiently funnel shaped, then the capacity for

3-D cleaning, shaping, and obturation is lessened and,
while the coronal tooth structure is preserved, the
prerequisite of filling the root canal system in unmet. This is,
of course, a false sense of security and a misuse of the
words conservative and MIE. To save the crown and to lose
the LEO is biologic suicide. Some recent endodontic
literature suggests that most current endodontic shapes are
too large and weaken the restorability of the tooth, and yet
all the data is derived from facial views of overzealous
shaping of precious ferrule measured by viewing a finished
result from the typical buccal view. Restorative literature
verifies the essential part of ferrule preservation is facial
and lingual and should be measured in the buccal-lingual
axial cone beam view. Nonetheless, the final endodontic
preparation should take into consideration the final
circumferential ferrule in order to preserve post-endodontic
restorability (Figure 3).
My clinical reality: With all due respect and in my
humble opinion, using todays access, cleaning, and
obturation techniques, the pendulum is swinging in the
wrong direction. Modern straight-line unfettered access and
appropriate shapes for the root that house them does not
compromise success.

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 3

Minimally Invasive Endodontics Is the New
Endodontic Benchmark
Minimally invasive endodontics (MIE) is todays new
buzzword in endodontics. First of all, there is nothing new
about being conservative; however, what does conservative
mean? What is MIE? MIE can be considered a broad term
including vital pulp treatment, revascularization, coronal
access, radicular canal shaping, and safe obturation
techniques. However, smaller accesses, for example,
generate a potentially dangerous limited view of the pulp
chamber, reduced lighting, and magnification. Endodontic
mechanics are hard enough to perform even in unrestricted
access let alone through peep holes.
Second, the word conservative in endodontics used to
mean nonsurgical retreatment versus surgery. However, if
nonsurgical retreatment were to risk ferrule loss, or damage
the tooth or restorative structure, and/or aesthetics of an
existing foundation and crown, then a surgical endodontic
seal could very well be considered conservative. Surgery
would especially be conservative if the LEO was only
apically present. In addition, if the endodontic preparation
shape is too slender (such as in the old silver cone days)
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Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 4

Figures 5a and 5b. Myth

No. 5: Multivisit
endodontic treatment is
more successful than
single-visit endodontic
treatment.
(a) Conefit. (b) Finished
obturation at same visit
as the conefit. Local root
canal system knowledge
and needed finesse are
highest at the moment of
conefit and is, therefore, the most desirable time to perform the optimal
obturation skill.

Short Endodontic Fillings Have a Better Prognosis

Than Long Endodontic Fillings
While most studies suggest it is better to be short than long,6
the reality may come down to the definitions of long and short
(Figure 4a). Is it a vertical measurement or a 3-dimensional
measurement? Dr. Herbert Schilder was the first to make a
length versus volume distinction as early as the 1970s by
suggesting that most overfillings are in reality, overextensions
of underfilled canals. Schilder further defined overfill as
sealed in 3-dimensions and surplus material. When you think
about it, why is overfilling a clinical outcome anyway? It is
because the geometric relationship between canal shape and
conefit do not match, due to failure to create deep funnel
canal radicular preparation, or a false tugback conefit.
Consequently, there is lack of obturation control with
subsequent material beyond the undersealed physiologic
terminus. In fact, the only way to fill an endodontic preparation
is to either fill it or overfill it (Figure 4b). Any vertical or
horizontal root canal system filling, that is neither filled or
overfilled, is not filled.
My clinical reality is that the only way to create the 3D endodontic seal is to in fact create the 3-D endodontic
seal or overseal. Anything short of the 3-D endodontic seal
is undersealed, simply having the capacity to create or not
prevent LEOs.

Figures 6a and 6b. Myth

No. 6: Previous
endodontics has one or 2
strikes against it and
therefore the tooth
should be removed and
typically replaced with an
implant.
(a) Pretreatment of tooth
treatment planned for
removal and
replacement. Tooth had 2
strikes against it:
b
nonsurgical and surgical
attempt. Just one
problemthe patient did
not want an implant. (b)
Five-month
post-treatment of
nonsurgical retreatment
of previous
nonsurgical/surgical
treatment. LEO is
radiographically smaller
and the patient is now
asymptomatic. What would you have wanted to do (attempt) if it were
your tooth? For the author, I would have done what this patient hoped for.
An implant can always be placed, and implants will be even more
predictable in a few years if the crown/root ratio fails. Remember, though,
post-orthodontic short roots usually last the patients lifetime.

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 5

Multivisit Endodontic Treatment Is More Successful
Than Single-Visit Endodontic Treatment
The general thinking behind multi-endodontic visits is that they
provide an opportunity to place an intracanal medicament, such as
calcium hydroxide placement, for killing remaining bacteria. We
already know that sodium hypochlorite kills all bacteria within 30
seconds, including the AIDS virus. Well-shaped canals are clean
canals, and shaping facilitates cleaning, and 3-D obturation
incarcerates any remaining bacteria (Figure 5a). In addition, and
perhaps more importantly, the optimal time to know the critical
relationship between conefit and shape validation is at the conefit
visit. Shaping is finished when the conefit fits (Figure 5b). The
clinician will never know the shape better than right now at the end
of endodontic mechanics.
My clinical reality is that the best time to cement a crown

Figure 7. Myth No. 7:

Maxillary molars have 4
canals more than 90% of
the time. Example of 4
separate canals cleaned,
shaped with ProTaper
Gold (DENTSPLY Tulsa
Dental Specialties), and
obturated by vertical
compaction of warm
gutta-percha. (Courtesy
of Dr. Jordan West.)

is when the crown fits. The best time to pack the root canal
system is when the cone fits. The only clinically valid
contraindication is if the patients endodontic tooth were still
symptomatic.
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Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 6
Previous Endodontics Has One or Two
Strikes Against It and, Therefore, the
Tooth Should Be Removed and Typically
Replaced With an Implant
In reality, the same predictability and proper
concomitant mechanics have the same
treatment rationale as original endodontic
treatment, although a higher skill set and a
higher degree of intention are required. However, when a nonsurgical retreatment results in
the removal of too much tooth structure,
rendering the tooth unrestorable, an endodontic
third strike does warrant removal and
replacement. But, this error is not inevitable
since careful disassembly management, prior
to new shaping, is imperative and can be
predictably achieved. In addition, endodontic
treatment, including retreatment, has success
levels comparable to implants, and also with
better patient acceptance7-9 (Figure 6).
My clinical reality is that the capacity for
successful endodontic retreatment is the
same as the capacity for endodontic
nonsurgical treatment: 100% capacity. The
only difference is the technical skills
frequently need to be taken to another level.

Figures 8a to 8d. Myth No. 8: Endodontically treated teeth discolor in the aesthetic zone.
(a) Clinical pre-op photo of necrotic and discolored maxillary left central incisor. (b) Post-op
photo at 12 years showing no color change. In fact, the tooth is still lighter than adjacent
central incisor. (c) Careful restorative layering and polishing prevented microleakage and
therefore prevented re-discoloration. (d) Lingual view showing no microleakage around
lingual access repair margin.

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 7

Maxillary Molars Have Four Canals More
Than 90% of the Time
If you ask any endodontic audience what Figures 9a to 9c. Myth No. 9: Endodontically treated teeth are weaker. (a) Pretreatment
percentage of maxillary molars have 4 canals, image of maxillary right central incisor. Note damage to crown has already occurred as a
result of caries, not endodontics. (b) Beginning of backpack following shaping with ProTaper
most feel obliged to say more than 90%. The Gold and vertical compaction of warm gutta-percha. (c) Endodontic Finish where the
clinical reality and the literature suggest a endodontic access and radicular shape have not weakened the tooth in any way.
significantly different expectation: that, while most teeth
shape it and pack it with the same precision as MB1.
demonstrate a fourth chamber orifice, less than half of these
My clinical reality is that maxillary molars must be treated
10-13
orifices lead to separate canals (Figure 7).
So keep
as if they possess 2 or more separate mesiobuccal canals.
looking diligently, but do not beat yourself up if you cannot
However, the fact is that as many as half do converge one way
follow the canal to length as it may very well unite or cross
or another. This is no reason not to successfully find, follow, and
with MB1. Nonetheless, a significant lateral portal of exit (POE)
finish these canals as they may converge and then emerge
could emanate from the coronal portion of MB2, so dont give
separately again. In addition, a significant POE may branch from
up carefully following into MB1; and, if this were the case, then
the converging canal itself.
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Continuing Education

Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

a

Figures 10a to 10f. Myth No. 10: The Ni-Ti system I use makes the biggest difference. (a) Pretreatment of mandibular left second molar.
(b) Endodontic Finish using ProTaper Gold. Note: MIE access! (Courtesy of Dr. Jason West.) (c) Endodontic Finish using ProTaper Gold.
Note elegant shapes follow the original anatomy. (Courtesy of Dr. Jordan West.) (d) Pretreatment image of maxillary right first premolar. (e)
Endodontic Finish, again shaped with ProTaper Gold. (f) Second molar ProTaper Gold shaping and obturation with vertical compaction of
warm gutta-percha. If this were your tooth, would you prefer the first molar result or the second molar? Of course, the second molar has not
had the time to heal yet, but I will bet my professional reputation that it will!

ENDODODONTIC MYTH NO. 8

the endodontics due to caries and/or previous caries and

large and deep restorations (Figure 9a). The endodontic
access, like removing the top of the Duomo from the Santa
Maria del Fiore Cathedral (in Florence, Italy) has little
influence on the strength of the structure. The endodontic
access is almost insignificant compared to the damage of
restorative procedures14 (Figures 9b and 9c).
My clinical reality is that the microscope-designed
endodontic access cavity and root canal radicular preparations
do not cause a tooth to be weaker post-endodontic treatment.
Weakness is caused, instead, by what happens to the tooth
before endodontics is needed: caries, subsequent restorative
cavity preps, followed by the restoration itself.

Endodontically Treated Teeth Discolor in the

Aesthetic Zone
Why do some endodontically treated teeth discolor?
Discoloration is due to insufficient coronal seal, failure to
properly remove necrotic tissue, failure to finish obturation one
to 2 mm apical to the cemento-enamel junction, or the failure
to clean sealer and/or obturation material from the pulp
chamber access (Figure 8a).
My clinical reality is that, if properly restored,
endodontically treated teeth do not readily re-discolor, since
microleakage will be prevented or significantly delayed. In
fact, if the same focus, technique, and attention to detail is
placed on access finishing as the original access cavity,
such as layering the access restorative materials and
employing a proper polishing protocol, then endodontically
treated teeth will retain their restored color (Figure 8).

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 10

The Ni-Ti System That I Use Makes the Biggest
Difference
Every instrument company in the world reports that they make
the best Ni-Ti shaping system. At last count, there are more
than 40 systems, but they seem to come and go frequently.
They cant all be right, can they? So what and where is the

ENDODONTIC MYTH NO. 9

Endodontically Treated Teeth Are Weaker
The teeth that require endodontics are weakened before
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Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

truth? It is my thinking that the best Ni-Ti system cannot make
a bad dentist a good dentist. However, the best Ni-Ti system
can make a good dentist a great endodontic clinician.
I have been an endodontic clinician and educator for
more than 35 years. What I love about my work is that I am
still learning and still improving my performance. I am as
passionate about the processes and results as I was when
I started. Now, if you have read this article this far, it is at
this time that I am obligated to share something: Ni-Ti has
made the biggest difference. It is amazing how far improved
Ni-Ti design has come in the last 5 years, but without a
doubt, the foremost and most recognizable name in
endodontic shaping has and continues to be ProTaper
[DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties]. Why? ProTaper has
3 critical distinctions: (1) it produces predictable and
reproducible deep shape for easy 3-D obturation; (2) it is
the only system that understands the tageting role of
Shapers for shaping coronal restrictive dentin and the role
of Finishers to finish connecting the dots of the radicular
continuously tapering funnel from apical constriction to
canal orifice while maintaining MIE preparations (Figures
10a to 10c); and (3) the shaping sequence is safe, superefficient, and simple since it is always the same. And yet
some clinicians experienced the Finishers as too efficient
and, given new metallurgies, not flexible enough. Problem
solved! The new ProTaper Gold (DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental
Specialties) allows Shapers and Finishers to easily and
safely crawl down canals and carve deep shapes that are
consistent and appropriate for MIE endodontics, while at
the same time providing perfect funnel preparations for
easy 3-D cleaning and obturation15 (Figures 10d to 10f).
My clinical reality is that there is no doubt that the
clinician is the greatest variable in endodontic success.
However, when the best Ni-Ti concepts and geometries are
embraced by clinicians who are dedicated to being their
best, the best happens.

2. Treatment Planning. The value of developing an

experienced team of specialists cannot be overestimated.

Interdisciplinary collaboration gives the patient the best
treatment plan choices and decisions.
3. Endodontic Mechanics. An understanding of the
physiology and biology of endodontic healing and success is
imperative. In this way, misleading myths will play a reduced
role and endodontics will retain its rightful place in providing
optimal oral health.
4. Appropriate Endodontics. The author of this article has
treated endodontic patients for nearly 40 years, and it is clear
that endodontics has improved during this time period.
Endodontics is now less invasive. Endodontics is more
precise. When possible, nonsurgical endodontic retreatment
should be chosen over surgical retreatment if restorative
structure or anterior aesthetics is not compromised. There
are some extremely difficult cases that are best treated with
removal and replacement. However, well-planned and wellexecuted endodontics will reduce trauma to the patient,
facilitate endodontic success, and improve post endodontic
predictability and stability. When the right tooth is chosen,
when the right endodontics is done right, endodontic myths
vaporize and improved biologic, structure, functional, and
aesthetic outcomes become an attainable norm for the
dentist and his or her interdisciplinary team.

REFERENCES
1. Hargreaves KM, Goodis HE, eds. Seltzer and
Benders Dental Pulp. Chicago, IL: Quintessence
Publishing; 2002.
2. Ng YL, Mann V, Gulabivala K. Outcome of secondary
root canal treatment: a systematic review of the
literature. Int Endod J. 2008;41:1026-1046.
3. Ng YL, Mann V, Gulabivala K. A prospective study of
the factors affecting outcomes of nonsurgical root
canal treatment: part 1: periapical health. Int Endod J.
2011;44:583-609.
4. Ricucci D, Siqueira JF Jr, Bate AL, et al. Histologic
investigation of root canal-treated teeth with apical
periodontitis: a retrospective study from twenty-four
patients. J Endod. 2009;35:493-502.
5. Ricucci D, Siqueira JF Jr. Fate of the tissue in lateral
canals and apical ramifications in response to
pathologic conditions and treatment procedures.
J Endod. 2010;36:1-15.
6. Ng YL, Mann V, Rahbaran S, et al. Outcome of

LESSONS LEARNED
Preparing this article reinforceded 4 lessons that I have
learned along the way.
1. Diagnosis. Proper diagnosis is key in deciding the
exact mode of endodontic treatment or if endodontic
treatment is in the patients best interest.
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Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

7.

8.

9.

10.

11. Silva EJ, Nejaim Y, Silva AI, et al. Evaluation of root

canal configuration of maxillary molars in a Brazilian
population using cone-beam computed tomographic
imaging: an in vivo study. J Endod. 2014;40:173-176.
12. Weller RN, Niemczyk SP, Kim S. Incidence and
position of the canal isthmus. Part 1. Mesiobuccal root
of the maxillary first molar. J Endod. 1995;21:380-383.
13. Stropko JJ. Canal morphology of maxillary molars:
clinical observations of canal configurations. J Endod.
1999;25:446-450.
14. Reeh ES, Messer HH, Douglas WH. Reduction in
tooth stiffness as a result of endodontic and
restorative procedures. J Endod. 1989;15:512-516.
15. Ruddle CJ, Machtou P, West JD. Endodontic canal
preparation: new innovations in glide path
management and shaping canals. Dent Today.
2014;33:104-107.

primary root canal treatment: systematic review of the

literaturePart 2. Influence of clinical factors. Int
Endod J. 2008;41:6-31.
Doyle SL, Hodges JS, Pesun IJ, et al. Retrospective
cross sectional comparison of initial nonsurgical
endodontic treatment and single-tooth implants. J
Endod. 2006;32:822-827.
Iqbal MK, Kim S. For teeth requiring endodontic
treatment, what are the differences in outcomes of
restored endodontically treated teeth compared to
implant-supported restorations? Int J Oral Maxillofac
Implants. 2007;22(suppl):96-116.
Gatten DL, Riedy CA, Hong SK, et al. Quality of life of
endodontically treated versus implant treated patients:
a University-based qualitative research study. J
Endod. 2011;37:903-909.
Kim Y, Lee SJ, Woo J. Morphology of maxillary first
and second molars analyzed by cone-beam computed
tomography in a Korean population: variations in the
number of roots and canals and the incidence of
fusion. J Endod. 2012;38:1063-1068.

Continuing Education

Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

POST EXAMINATION INFORMATION

POST EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

To receive continuing education credit for participation in

this educational activity you must complete the program
post examination and answer 6 out of 8 questions correctly.

1. Based on results, the large endodontic lesion

clinically heals, regardless if the endodontic lesion is
lined with epithelium, is a granuloma, or is an
abscess.

Traditional Completion Option:

You may fax or mail your answers with payment to Dentistry
Today (see Traditional Completion Information on following
page). All information requested must be provided in order
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Payment, Personal Certification Information, Answers,
and Evaluation forms. Your exam will be graded within 72
hours of receipt. Upon successful completion of the postexam (answer 6 out of 8 questions correctly), a letter of
completion will be mailed to the address provided.

a. True

b. False

2. Of the classic endodontic triangle of (1) disinfection,

(2) preparation, and (3) obturation, disinfection is a
main focus of current endodontic investigation and
holds enormous promise for the little tissue.
a. True

b. False

3. With todays composites and resin cements

improving in strength, the final endodontic
preparation does not need to take into consideration
the final circumferential ferrule in order to preserve
post-endodontic restorability.

Online Completion Option:

Use this page to review the questions and mark your
answers. Return to dentalcetoday.com and sign in. If you
have not previously purchased the program, select it from
the Online Courses listing and complete the online
purchase process. Once purchased the program will be
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Select the Take Exam link, complete all the program
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report will be provided. Upon receiving a passing grade,
complete the online evaluation form. Upon submitting
the form, your Letter of Completion will be provided
immediately for printing.

a. True

b. False

4. Any vertical or horizontal root canal system filling

which is neither filled nor overfilled, is not filled.
a. True

b. False

5. We already know that sodium hypochlorite kills all

bacteria within 30 seconds, but not the AIDS virus.
a. True

b. False

6. If the same focus, technique, and attention to detail

is placed on access finishing on the original access
cavity, then endodontically treated teeth will retain
their restored color.
a. True

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b. False

7. The teeth that require endodontics are weakened

before the endodontics due to caries and/or previous
caries and large and deep restorations.
a. True

This CE activity was not developed in accordance with

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CEUs for this activity will not be accepted by the AGD
for MAGD/FAGD credit.

b. False

8. In the authors opinion, the clinician is the greatest

variable in endodontic success.
a. True

b. False

Continuing Education

Ten Myths About Endodontics: Fact Versus Pulp Fiction

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What topics interest you for future Dentistry Today CE courses?

10