Alan H. Gluskin, D.D.S.: No financial relationships to disclose
Patient injury as an outcome of endodontic treatment can have devastating consequences for both the patient and the endodontist. Mishaps that occur during the therapeutic stages of endodontic therapy can result in significant irreversible damage to teeth and the jaws as well as neurologic damage within the head and neck, with an unpredictable course and an uncertain prognosis. This presentation will discuss the evidence and best practices regarding clinician thinking and actions resulting in patient injury and impairment as a result of endodontic care. The presentation will review the data for prognosis and how to determine treatment and intervention strategies in local anesthetic injury; chemical harm from overfill; as well as irrigation accidents and the resulting neural trauma caused by surgical error.
Learning Objectives:
Recognize the advantages of imaging technologies in identifying key neurovascular structures and their proximity to the root canal systems of teeth.
Identify safe protocols for avoiding extra-radicular overfill of the root canal space when there is close proximity to neurovascular anatomy.
Become familiar with prognosis and best practice for injuries and overfill mishaps that result in neurologic damage.
