Core subjects for Year 1 of the MSc Endodontology programme, based around 3 modules

Module 1 - Principles of endodontics

Aims:

• Explore the historical influences on contemporary root canal techniques.
• Review the biology of endodontic disease and the evidence base for treatment
• Review the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of endodontic cases.
• Introduce different filing techniques

Some examples of module content are:

• Biology and aetiology of endodontic disease, underpinning evidence and research, critical evaluation of evidence, statistical outcomes.
• History taking, diagnostic techniques, differential diagnosis.
• Likely outcomes from different pre-operative statuses. Appropriate treatment regimes, referral strategies, the use of published flow charts to assess case complexity.
• Treatment planning with patient to obtain valid consent.
• Techniques of filing curved canals using a variety of files, the limitations of these techniques.
• Technique of balanced force to keep instruments centred in the canal, the use of balanced force filing in developing a ‘glide path’ in curved canal preparation
• Efficacy of crown down technique with NiTi versus coronal flaring/glide path and NiTi as finishing instruments, concepts of neutral and positive rake angles to vary cutting efficacy.
• Tapers and the limitations of producing a tapered preparation with instruments that are not tapered.
• Roles of irrigants and lubricants in canal preparation
• Use of disinfectants in the management of infections.

Assessment for module 1

1 x 2500 word literature review on an endodontic topic, submission date is 14 days after day 4 of the extra 6 days. For example, if the day 4 is 12 March, submission due date would be 26 March

1 x case presentation up to diagnosis and treatment planning stage, presentation is on day 4 of the extra 6 days.

Module 2 - Endodontic Treatment

Aims:

• To further develop practitioners’ endodontic techniques
• To analyse the role of medication in endodontic therapy

Some examples of module content are:

• Local anaesthesia. Antibiotics and analgesics in endodontics ; their roles in controlling pain.
• Different causes of pain; management of failure of analgesia
• The role of intra-canal medicaments and inter-appointment dressings where indicated for different diagnoses.
• The indications and roles of various root canal irrigants and disinfectants
• Anatomy of the apical third of the root canal, vertical and horizontal aspects of canal preparation
• Techniques and protocols to produce consistent tapered root canal preparations with various rotary NiTi instruments.
• Contemporary thermal obturation techniques including warm vertical condensation, injectable thermo-plasticised technique and thermomechanical compaction

Assessment for module 2

Short question and answer paper (2 hours) taken on day 5 of the extra 6 days. Questions will be based on subjects covered in this module.

1 x case presentation, treatment phase of same case discussed on day 4, presentation is on day 5 of the extra 6 days.

Module 3 - Referral Endodontics

Aims:

• To understand the concept of success and failure in endodontics
• To highlight the concept of the restoration of the endodontically treated tooth and coronal seal.
• To highlight the relationship between endodontic and periodontal disease
• To understand risk factors for iatrogenic damage and how this can be repaired

Some examples of module content are:

• Criteria for success and failure of endodontic treatment, review intervals, future treatment options, tactics to overcome failure
• Techniques and materials needed to remove gutta percha and cements from the root canal system, the potential complexities that retreatment entails when compared with endodontic treatments on virgin teeth
• Techniques to include placement amalgam Nayaar cores
• Treatment protocols for tooth bleaching (lightening)
• Internal and external resorption and its relationship to trauma
• Management of trauma and techniques to manage incomplete root formation. Techniques to prevent and/or minimise root resorption
• How to avoid iatrogenic damage and how to repair root canal systems that have suffered procedural misadventures
• Contemporary techniques and methods for pulp capping and pulpotomies. The use of ultrasonics for the removal of instruments and posts from root canals, other methods of removing fractured posts from teeth.

Assessment for module 3

1 x OSCE examination on day 6 of the extra 6 days, followed by a 20 minute Viva examination