NS-1 - Endodontic Emergencies – Strategies for Predictable, Effective and Efficient Management

The management of emergencies is an integral part of dental practice as patients may present at any time with an emergency. Pain associated with the dental pulp and/or periapical tissues is the most common emergency. Such endodontic emergencies may occur before, during or after endodontic treatment. Hence, all Dentists and Endodontists must be able to effectively manage endodontic emergencies in order to predictably relieve the patient’s pain, reduce any swelling, and return the tooth to normal function. Such patients may have to be “squeezed in” to an already busy day’s schedule of booked patients so efficient management is also essential. Predictable management is based on the general principles of accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, and in some cases post-operative medication. Whilst this sounds simple, there can be complicating factors - such as obtaining adequate local anesthesia to allow pain-free pulp removal from teeth with acute irreversible pulpitis. This presentation will outline the common endodontic emergencies and how to predictably, effectively and efficiently manage them.