OVERVIEW
All clinical procedures involving the manipulation of dentin (all restorative procedures) have some affect on the dental pulp. This course is designed for practitioners and staff to; 1) understand the effect accumulative procedures have on the pulp, 2) consider the pulp-dentin complex in preventive endodontics 3) aid the diagnosis of pathologic and normal pulpal conditions and 4) understand the difficulties of providing root canal therapy when the pulp is acutely and painfully inflamed.

Understanding the progressive nature of pulpal (and periapical) pathology is critical to recognizing the signs, symptoms, and etiology of pulpal disease. The clues to potential and urgent endodontic problems are often found by listening to patients. There are essential
questions to ask that are designed to screen for and understand a patient’s potential endodontic problem. Pulp testing procedures are non-invasive and can be routinely performed by trained auxiliary personal. Once learned, these diagnostic skills are applicable to emergency endodontic diagnosis and therapy. Importantly these skills can also improve efficiency and productively in restorative treatment planning. The diagnosis and prognosis of coronal fractures, including the ‘Cracked Tooth Syndrome’, will also be discussed. In turn, you will have greater confidence recommending (and increase patient acceptance of) root canal therapy; especially in situations where x-rays are diagnostically inconclusive.

Topics to be Discussed:
• Anatomy and Physiology of the Dental Pulp
• The ‘Pulp Dentin Complex’
• Physiologic vs. Pathologic dental pain
• Effect of restorative procedures on the dental pulp
• Vital Pulp Therapies
• Importance of the ‘Chief Complaint’ in diagnosis
• Diagnosis of Irreversible Acute and Chronic Pulpalgias
• How to perform routine pulp testing?
• Vitality testing vs. ‘Diagnostic Thermal Stimulation’
• What pulp testing results really mean?
• Diagnosis and Treatment of Coronal Fractures; ‘Cracked Tooth Syndrome’
• Challenges of performing RCT on teeth with Vital Pulps

OBJECTIVES
Participants will learn the principles and skills necessary for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pathologic conditions of the vital dental pulp.

PRESENTER
DAVID J. CLEMENT, D.D.S., received his dental degree from the University of Minnesota in 1981. He was a general dentist for nine years, an endodontic post graduate educator for three years, and had a specialty endodontic practice. Dr. Clement is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Endodontics at Oklahoma University Health Science Center, College of Dentistry, Oklahoma City.

TIME
Check-in & Breakfast: D.S. Cafeteria, 7:30 AM
Program: Saturday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

LOCATION
The University of Texas Health Science Center
at San Antonio, Dental School

TUITION
Dentist: $210.00
Allied Dental Personnel: $170.00

CREDIT (Course Code: 126396A)
AGD CODE : 070 Hours: 7