Fri. 16.15
Growing old with endodontics?
Abstract:
The silver-haired Society is upon us; confident, informed, affluent and with unprecedented expectations for vigorous life and supportive healthcare. Dentate and wishing to remain so, they bring the legacies of a lifetime of disease and intervention, and test the diagnostic, planning and operative skills of generalists and specialists alike. Are our societies likely to grow old with endodontic needs? Are you growing old with the endodontics you’re expected to perform?
Despite a general improvement in dental health, apical periodontitis is on the increase, and particularly associated with heavily restored and previously root canal treated teeth. But is this important; does it all need treatment, can it all be successfully treated, and are our ageing populations at risk of local and systemic complications? 
Riding on the tidal wave of technology, the endo enthusiast may be at risk of offering root fillings without restorative strategy, and patient long-term interests. For the strategic and restorable, the challenges of case-winning infection control may be great, compounded by reactive, reparative and degenerative changes in the ageing ‘sclerotic’ pulp space. Though far from invincible, dentists have been empowered by a revolution in lighting, magnification and tools to identify, negotiate and gain control of pulp spaces which were previously beyond the skills of the gifted elite. 
This lecture will review general and local issues in managing the endodontic needs of an ageing population, highlighting the need for realistic treatment planning and the rational use of contemporary technology.

Powerpoint presentation

Curriculum vitae
John Whitworth is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Newcastle University, UK, where he delivers the undergraduate, graduate and continuing education programmes in Endodontology. Since 1991, he has led endodontic patient referral services at Newcastle Dental Hospital. In 1996, he was Visiting Associate Professor in Endodontics, University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2005, he was recipient of the Dental Defence Union UK dental teacher of the year award. An active researcher, he supervises Masters and Doctorate research students and has personal research interests in local anaesthesia, vital pulp therapy, biomaterials science, health economics and standards of care in practice. He serves the International Endodontic Journal as Deputy Editor-in-Chief, is on the Editorial Boards of ‘ENDO: Endodontic Practice Today’ and ‘Endodontic Practice’ and is endodontic editor of the Quintessentials of Dentistry textbook series. John has published more than 50 peer-reviewed and professional articles, authored a popular textbook of endodontics and contributed chapters to 10 other books in restorative dentistry and endodontology. He has been a committed microscope user since 1996