A Newly Formed Organization in Dentistry Makes Its Lasting Mark in the Early 1940s.

The Philadelphia Root Canal Study Club was formed in 19391 in an era that was seeing the wholesale extraction of teeth, based on the theory of focal infection.2 This one timely and fortuitous occurrence was the genesis for a national association of dentists interested in root canal therapy. With several other influential dentists in 1943, Dr. Louis I. Grossman, from Philadelphia, began organizing the American Root Therapy Association. At the Chicago Dental Society meeting in February of that year, nineteen dentists from across the country met and the American Society of Endodontists (ASE) was officially formed for the study of root canal therapy (Fig. 1).

Origins of the Electronic Apex Locator - Achieving Success with Strict Adherence to Business.

Current history would have you believe that the evolution and development of the electronic apex locator for use during root canal procedures emanated from the work of Suzuki in 1942, which was developed as a product by Sunada in 1962. Yes, this is partly correct, however the concept of using electrical means to locate the ends of root canals was brought to the dental profession as early as 1918 by Dr. Levitt Ellsworth Custer, which was not addressed until Suzuki revisited Custer's concepts. This contribution was only one of the many that Custer proffered as he championed the use of electricity in dentistry.

On the management of root canals in teeth that exhibit a draining "fistulous" tract.

The clinical management of teeth with necrotic pulps, with and without draining fistulous tracts, has been the subject of a wide range of personal opinions and techniques for well over a century. Fortunately, prior to the advent of the focal infection theory in the early 1900s, dental clinicians made every attempt to treat and maintain these teeth as opposed to wholesale extraction. While the treatment approaches by some may have been questionable, others claimed great success. The success claimed was empirically-based, but those that achieved this goal used methods and techniques not dissimilar to present-day practices. However, the proponents of the focal infection theory failed to consider these achievements prior to their advocacy of extracting all teeth with necrotic pulps or those that demonstrated an active infection. This paper highlights some of the prevailing concepts from opposing treatment regimens in the late 1800s in which extensive efforts were made to retain teeth.

Clark's rule vis à vis the buccal object rule: its evolution & application in endodontics.

Originally, Clark's rule was used to identify the position of unerupted or supernumerary teeth (a concept known as oral localization) prior to orthodontic tooth movement or surgical removal. However, the versatility of this rule's principles and concepts are also highly applicable to endodontic diagnosis and treatment. While contemporarily known by many different names, such as the "buccal object rule" and the "cone beam-shift technique," the importance of this rule in endodontics was not recognized in the literature until late in the 20th century, despite historical evidence demonstrating its incorporation into root canal procedures almost 100 years ago.

[Changes in the therapy of pulpal diseases and periapical lesions according to the articles published in the journal Fogorvosi Szemle during the past 100 years (1908-2008)]. / A fogbélbetegségek és a fogbél következményes betegségeinek terápiájában (gyökérkezelés) bekövetkezett változások 100 éve a Fogorvosi Szemle közlemenyeinek tükrében (1908-2008).

Present review makes an attempt to summarize the Hungarian endodontic literature of pulpal and periodontal diseases, published during the past 100 years. The experimental examinations and clinical studies make it possible to follow the changes in the methods and in the medicines, used in the field of pulpal treatment. The overview gives us information about the problem of disinfection, shaping, measuring, and obturation of root canal.

Flare-ups in endodontics: I. Etiological factors. 1985.

A number of hypothetical mechanisms which may be responsible for pain and swelling before and during endodontic therapy are presented. These mechanisms may be interrelated.

Flare-ups in endodontics: II. Therapeutic measures. 1985.

Various treatment regimens for the relief of pain during endodontic therapy, including relief of occlusion, pre-medication, establishment of drainage, and intracanal and systemic medications are presented. In addition, the rationale for the use of placebos is discussed.

A scanning electron microscope examination of silver cones removed from endodontically treated teeth. 1972.

Twenty-five silver cones were removed from teeth which had been treated endodontically from 3 months to 20 years previously. Examination by the scanning electron microscope revealed that these cones were moderately to severely corroded. The corrosion patterns were described as ranging from pitting to deep crater formation with globular or spherical agglomerations. Examinations with the electron probe showed sulfur peaks on the corroded portions of the cones. X-ray diffraction analyses indicated that the chemical compounds formed were silver sulfides, silver sulfates, silver carbonates, and silver amine sulfate amide hydrates. Tissue culture studies indicated that the corrosion products were highly cytotoxic. The mechanisms for the formation of the corrosion products have been postulated as being due to plastic deformations and metal transfer to the silver cones, plus contact of the silver with tissue fluids.

Pain in endodontics. 1986.

A frequent problem in endodontics is the development of pain and swelling during or after endodontic therapy. Although the reasons for such exacerbations are not always clear, there are a number of hypotheses which will be discussed in this article.

Dental quackery: a retrospective view.

Instances of dental quackery are easy to spot in history, but what qualifies as quackery in contemporary dentistry? A historical perspective leads to an evaluation of questionable practices in the field today.

Contemporary endodontology.

Clinical endodontics has made significant progress during this century. This lecture will critically review the major breakthroughs that have taken place during this period. The final judgement of the value of this progress, however, is the quality of care we can deliver to our patients. Although the advances have been impressive, there are also major disappointments and problems that need to be recognised. Looking at clinical endodontics today, there is clearly a dissonance between sound scientific knowledge and empirical clinical practice. It is important that these problems are recognised and that endodontic research and teaching are refocused. Only by decisive action can progress be assured for clinical endodontics and the prospect will be bright.

[110th year Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Tandheelkunde. 2. Root canal treatment, intra-canal disinfectants and bacterial culture: past and present]. / 110e jaargang NTvT 2. De wortelkanaalbehandeling met medicamenten en de bacteriekweek: toen en nu.

Fifty years ago the Dutch Journal of Dentistry published methods and opinions concerning root canal treatment. Qualitative bacterial culture, inclusion of aggressive disinfectants, as well as antibiotics and widening of the apical constriction were carried out. Nowadays, because of several reasons, these are not clinical practice anymore. Controversy over the clinical consequences of bacterial presence in tubules and in the peri-apical area prevailed in the past and seem to be prevalent once again.

C. Edmund Kells (1856-1928).

Dr. C. Edmund Kells, a dentist practicing in the deep South became a pioneer in the profession of dentistry and medicine with his numerous inventions and publications. His most significant invention was the surgical aspirator for dental and medical surgery, still utilized today. Kells was also one of the first dentists to hire a female dental assistant and the first to expose a dental radiograph in the United States. Although controversial at times, he fought for his convictions and beliefs in the advancement of dentistry. Kell's theories on conservative cavity preparation and 'saving' pulpless teeth are scientifically validated almost one century later. Because of Kells persistence, dental professionals today continue to benefit from his inventions and procedures.