Hands-on techniques are demonstrated both live and with the use of video. The ratio of didactic to hands-on training is 50:50.

Participants are encouraged to have a go themselves, using all of the contemporary endodontic preparation and obturation systems currently available in the UK. The hands-on sessions allow participants the opportunity for an unbiased look at the different systems and materials.

Module 1

• Aetiology of endodontic disease.
• Prognosis of non-surgical endodontic treatment.
• A brief review of the mechanical properties of endodontic instruments.
• Endodontic instrumentation techniques: introducing an old favourite but still a very valuable technique - balanced force filing.
• How to ledge, perforate and block a canal BUT more importantly, how not to !
• Introduce a simple and predictable protocol for use of Dentsply's Protaper Gold.

Module 2

• An exploration of root canal anatomy of each tooth using some amazing software that almost takes you on a journey down the root canal.
• A look at the bacteriology of endodontic disease from a very practical aspect, understanding the science behind the disease process and the best way to treat endodontic disease.
• To understand aims and objectives, and a brief introduction on how to get the best out of research papers.
• A quick look at different endodontic instrumentation techniques, including stepback and balanced force.
• Alternative protocols for use of Dentsply's Protaper Gold, showing use of a reduced numbers of files in very predictable and safe protocol.
• Understanding different tapers for canal preparations, and how to create these using hand files.
• A quick introduction to the trend for reducing tapers and why this might be important for preserving the strength of the tooth.

Module 3

• Diagnostic procedures.
• Diagnosis of non-odontogenic pain.
• Management of medically-compromised patients.
• Radiographic interpretation, their limitations and future trends including the use of CBCT for endodontic practice.
• Accessing the canal system, the why and the how!
• Role of glide path management in root canal preparation, comparing glide path production using hand files and automated files. Importance of a glide path in preventing instrument separation.
• An introduction to rotary versus reciprocating automated filing, comparing MicroMega's OneCurve with VDW's Reciproc Blue, working in single and double curved canals

Module 4

• Pulpal response to caries and dental procedures.
• What can cause pulpal damage? A review of pulpal irritants.
• Pulp capping and pulpotomies
• Anatomy of the apical third of the root canal, looking at such questions as what should the working length be and how wide should our preps actually be?
• Endodontic length determination using apex locators and comparing with radiographic determination.
• Detection and management of vertical root fractures.
• Contemporary root canal irrigants, what are they? How many should we be using and how are they best used?
• Comparing irrigation efficiency in three different sized canal preparations, made with either the latest generation of Kerr's K3 file system K3XF, Dentsply's Protaper Next or VDW's Reciproc Blue.  Comparing standard needle based irrigation with Sonic activation of irrigant to see if preparation size and irrigant activation actually makes any difference to irrigant penetration. Remember files shape canals but it is the irrigant that cleans the canal!
• Understanding proper and reliable use of apex locators (we have a few for you to review), to assess vertical canal dimension.
• Use of hand files for apical gauging to assess the correct horizontal canal dimension, which is very important for correctly preparing the apical third.

Module 5

• A complete review of NiTi and how it has changed endodontic instrumentation through the last 20-30 years, including a review of the mechanism of fracture of NiTi files, and the role of NiTi instrumentation in the preparation of curved canals.
• Navigating pulp chambers, with some top tips on how to find those canal orifices! All of them!!
• Introducing Dentsply's latest reciprocating file, WaveOne Gold and comparing with Dentsply's Protaper Next rotary system which superceded the hugely popular Protaper Universal file.

Module 6

• A highly practical and incredibly useful review of local anaesthesia, looking at the best anaesthetics to use and the most reliable techniques. LA failure in endodontics is an issue we are all faced with occasionally. We will review why this is and how to manage these situations.
• Use of antibiotics in endodontics (not a very long discussion!).
• Prediction of endodontic pain and use of analgesics to reliably and predictably control the discomfort of endodontic disease.
• Review of endodontic obturation techniques looking at both historical and right up to date contemporary techniques. You will have a great opportunity to compare thermal obturation techniques with single cone obturations, in either extracted teeth OR in 3d printed anatomically correct simulated teeth.
• Gutta Percha is still the favoured obturation material. So we want to have a quick look at alternative obturation materials also.
• A look at contemporary root canal sealers and how the role of sealers is becoming more and more imporatnt in these days of sealer based obturations. How to introduce sealers into the canal systems. We look at the various ideas for doing this demonstrating the need for careful control of materials that can be easily extruded.
• A review of Interappointment medicaments.

Module 7

• A whole day on endodontic retreatment.
• Assessing success and failure of endodontic treatment using clinical and radiographic parameters, including some suggestions for sensible review periods. Knowing when a treatment has failed is of paramount importance! One should not retreat a tooth that is not broken.
• Causes of failure of endodontic treatment.
• Biology of the failed endodontic case.
• Endodontic retreatment, a challenging procedure!
• Tactics in overcoming failure.
• Developing a sound strategy for dismantling the obtuarted canal. Removal of Gutta Percha from canals, using automated systems, Dentsply's Protaper retreatment files and VDW's Reciproc Blue, but also bringing you up to speed with use of heat to remove Gutta Percha and also solvents.

Module 8

• Restoration of the endodontically treated tooth, including temporisation and provisional restorations.
• Importance of coronal seal, and cuspal protection. The latest trends and thoughts on this huge subject.
• Treatment planning and the need to plan the coronal restoration before you embark upon endodontic treatment. Start with the end in mind!
• Use of root filled teeth as abutments and whether this is sensible.
• Canal preparation with a single file protocol using Coltene's Hyflex EDM OneFile system, followed by obturation and restoration using various core materials and techniques. Then a more complex canal preparation using a 3 file protocol based on Coltene's Hyflex EDM file system, and again restoration using various core materials.
• A review of the history of amalgam dowels (Nyaar) to retain cores and the challenges that the increasing use of composite materials brings to core build ups.
• A review of direct and indirect restorations and their respective roles in the restoration of the endodontically treated tooth.

Module 9

• An overview of endodontic trauma: its pathogenesis and management, both short term and long term.
• Trauma is a significant risk factor for root resorption, specifically external root resorption in all its various presentations. We will look at the diagnosis and management of resorption, both internal and external resorption.
• A look at aesthetic issues of trauma which sometimes involves discolouration. So we will review tooth lightening both internal and external techniques.
• What is the link between orthodontics and endodontics? Well one answer is resorption and it is critical we look at the issues involved.
• What are the differences between apexification and apexogenesis? How have the boundaries between these two concepts been blurred by "pulpal" regenerative techniques? Whay can you do in your own practices? Well quite a lot in all honesty and we will explain how.
• A practical look at the use of contemporary bioceramic materials as apical barrier repair materials in apexification techniques and also as perforation repair materials.

Module 10

• We look at medico-legal issues as they relate to endodontic diagnosis and treatment, including a review of what is "proper consent" to what to say to patients if things don't quite go to plan.
• Procedural misadventures and how to avoid them by planning carefully and having sensible expectations.
• A review of ways to dismantle the restored tooth including removal of instruments, posts etc. from canals, using various bits of special equipment and of course ultrasonic energy.
• A quick overview of endodontic/periodontal relationships, and whether the "perio-endo" lesion truly exists!
• In the practical session for this day, it's time to prove that you can remove posts and fractured files from canals using the correct equipment (including the enhanced magnification from the dental operating microscope). It's a great session and a fab way to conclude the 10 day programme.