Endodontics Unsponsored: Hands-On CE in Vancouver

Upcoming Course Dates and Times:

  • Friday & Saturday October 2nd & 3rd 2009 FULL
  • Friday & Saturday November 6th & 7th 2009 FULL
  • Friday & Saturday November 20th & 21st 2009 FULL
  • Friday & Saturday January 29th & 30th, 2010 FULL
  • Friday & Saturday March 26th & 27th, 2010

Course Fee: $1500 (includes $73.41 GST)
Location:  At the office of North Shore Endodontics in North Vancouver
(click here for OFFICE LOCATION )

Instructor: Mark Olesen practices endodontics full-time in North Vancouver. Since 2000 he has given small group ‘hands-on’ courses at his office to over 400 dentists. He is not affiliated with any dental company. He has been a member of the Scientific Advisory Board to the Journal of Endodontics since 2009. Mark received his dental degree from the University of British Columbia in 1988. He practised general dentistry for 6 years and then in 1996 completed his graduate program in endodontics at the University of Southern California.

Course Title:

Advanced Techniques for Shaping, Cleaning, and Obturation of Root Canal Systems

Mission Statement: The goal of this educational clinic is to provide current and unbiased knowledge on the concepts and techniques of endodontic treatment. With greater knowledge and improved skills, it is hoped that participants will gain more confidence and enjoyment in endodontics and ultimately be able to provide better patient care.

With so many different products now being marketed, it can be very difficult for dentists to decide which ones to use. This course is not sponsored by any company and Mark Olesen receives no financial gain from the companies whose products he uses. Some files and other products have been donated for use in the teaching lab by companies which include: Brasseler, Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Clinical Research Dental, Jordco, and SybronEndo. Microscopes have been provided by Global Surgical.

Course description: This 2-day course consists of a combination of lecture and laboratory work (about 40% lecture and 60% hands-on working with extracted teeth). Limited to 10 dentists. 16 hours of CE credit. The emphasis of the course is on shaping canals with rotary files. The course material is relevant to all dentists with an interest in endodontics and of all levels of experience.

Course Objectives:

  1. To better understand why root canal treatment is not always successful.
  2. To gain more knowledge and skills in order to increase success of root canal treatment.
  3. To learn more about resolving difficult-to-anesthetize teeth.
  4. To learn more about finding canals.
  5. To learn more about how to negotiate to the terminus of the majority of ‘calcified’ canals.
  6. To learn more about electronic apex locators.
  7. To better understand the concepts of using rotary nickel titanium files to enlarge even the most severely curved canals.
  8. To learn more about the various rotary file systems presently available, the differences between them and their advantages and disadvantages.
  9. If there is a rotary file system that you are comfortable with, to learn how to make it more effective and reduce the risk of file separation.
  10. To learn more about irrigants used to clean root canal systems and how to use them safely.
  11. To learn more about obturation of root canal systems. Simplification of both vertical and lateral condensation techniques is covered.
  12. To learn more about antibiotic and pain medications in endodontics.

* WARNING: This course will not try to sell you on a particular brand of file. It will also not tell you how easy endodontic treatment is and that all canals can be shaped with the same 1-5 files.

What will be supplied for each participant:

  • Microscope (supplied by Global Surgical)
  • High & slow speed handpieces and burs
  • Electric handpiece for rotary shaping
  • Ultrasonic unit
  • Hand files
  • Rotary files – we supply and give instruction on the use of GT, K3, Profiles, ProTapers, Sequence, TF, and Vortex files. Advantages and disadvantages of each system are discussed as well as hybrid techniques. When one understands the concepts of rotary shaping, it should be easy to switch between different brands of files.
  • Gutta percha and Resilon for warm vertical and lateral obturation
  • Digital radiography
  • System B and Obtura
  • Gloves and masks
  • Lunch, drinks, and snacks

If interested in attending, please contact us by phone or e-mail and we shall send more information about the course and registration to you. If interested but you are unable to attend the upcoming courses listed above, let us know and we will keep you informed about future courses.

If you have any questions about the courses, do not hesitate to email or call our office.
Office hours: Monday – Friday : 8 AM – 5 PM PST
Tel: (604) 987-2285 Fax: (604) 987-2287

Email: endodontics@telus.net