Introduction to Endodontic Therapy & Impact of CBCT on Treatment Planning

Friday, September 26, 2025

8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Credits: 3

PART A - COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This lecture provides a comprehensive introduction to root canal therapy, targeting new dentists, professionals with limited endodontic experience, and practicing dentists looking to refresh their skills. Participants will learn or revisit the essential steps of a root canal procedure, including diagnosis, access preparation, canal cleaning and shaping, irrigation, obturation, and post-treatment restoration. The course covers endodontic anatomy, treatment planning, and infection management, emphasizing best practices and procedural efficiency. By the end of the course, new dentists will gain the confidence and foundational knowledge needed to perform basic root canal procedures, while those refreshing their skills will enhance their techniques for effective application in practice.

Part A - OBJECTIVES:

1. Understand Endodontic Principles and Diagnosis: Participants will be able to identify the indications for root canal therapy, interpret diagnostic tools (e.g., radiographs, pulp testing), and comprehend pulpal and periapical pathology to formulate accurate treatment plans.
2. Master Root Canal Procedure Steps: Participants will grasp the key stages of root canal therapy, including access cavity preparation, canal identification, instrumentation, and irrigation, ensuring thorough cleaning and shaping of the root canal system.
3. Apply Obturation and Restoration Techniques: Participants will gain insight into how to effectively obturate the canal system using appropriate materials and techniques and understand the principles of post-treatment restoration to ensure long-term tooth functionality.

PART B - COURSE DESCRIPTION: 

This lecture focuses on the application of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) as a critical diagnostic tool in clinical endodontics. With its high resolution, 3D imaging enhances the accuracy of diagnosing tooth and root morphology, as well as tooth- and bone-related pathologies compared to standard intraoral digital 2D imaging. Consequently, practitioners have greater confidence in detecting anatomic variations and pathologies, making it an essential tool for decision-making. This discussion explores the evidence regarding CBCT’s role in endodontic diagnosis, treatment planning, outcomes, and practitioner confidence. Through clinical case studies, this lecture will illustrate how diagnostic information from CBCT can influence clinical decisions and outcomes.

Part B - OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify the differences between periapical radiography and CBCT scans as diagnostic imaging tools.
2. Examine the evidence on how CBCT impacts diagnosis and treatment planning.
3. Utilize 3D data from CBCT to inform decision-making and treatment approaches.

Dr. Tim Finkler was raised in Chester, Virginia. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Virginia Military Institute in 1990. In 2001, he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University. After dental school, he continued his dental education in the two-year General Practice Residency at McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Richmond, Virginia. After five years in private practice as a general dentist, he returned to VCU and joined the Department of Endodontics. In 2011, he received his Certificate in Endodontics and Master's Degree in Dentistry from Virginia Commonwealth University, School of Dentistry.

During 2011, he also retired from over 20 years of service in the Virginia Air National Guard. His military service included time with the 203rd REDHORSE and the 192nd Fighter Wing. He has been deployed to both Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. In 2011, he joined Commonwealth Endodontics. Dr. Finkler is the first endodontist to provide IV Conscious Sedation to patients in the Richmond area.  Dr. Finkler was initially trained in administering IV Conscious Sedation during his general practice residency at the McGuire VAMC. His IV Conscious Sedation training was recently updated through the Duquesne University, Mylan School of Pharmacy in 2011. Dr. Finkler enjoys helping patients with dental anxiety maintain their natural teeth by providing comfortable endodontic care.

Dr. Finkler is a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association, the Richmond Dental Society, the American Association of Endodontists, and the Virginia Academy of Endodontists. He also teaches part-time as an adjunct professor at VCU School of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics.

Dr. Finkler currently resides in Glen Allen, Virginia, with his wife Kim and their four wonderful children. He enjoys sports, most any outdoor activity, and spending time with his family and friends.

Dr. Amber Ather earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S.) and Master of Dental Surgery (M.D.S.) in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics from Manipal University, India, in 2007 and 2011, respectively. He then served as a full-time Assistant Professor of Endodontics at his alma mater in India. Dr. Ather later moved to Colorado, where he obtained his D.D.S. in 2015. Following that, he worked as a general dentist in Texas. He received his Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2020 and completed his M.S. degree in 2021, focusing his research on pulp biology, for which he received a grant from the AAE Foundation for Endodontics. Dr. Ather served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Endodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry from 2021 to 2023. His research areas include pulp biology, pain, and surgical endodontics. He is on the Scientific Advisory Board for several journals, including the Journal of Endodontics, Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics, and PLOS ONE. Having published several high-impact research papers, Dr. Ather is committed to a long-term career as a clinician-scientist. Dr. Ather, a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, currently works as an Associate Endodontist at Commonwealth Endodontics and serves as an affiliate faculty member in the Department of Endodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. In his free time, he enjoys traveling with his family and hiking.

The Speaker has a financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with the corporate organization offering financial support or grant monies for this continuing dental education program.

The VDA Team does not have any financial arrangements/affiliations to disclose relating to the content of this presentation.