How can you tell if a root canal treatment is truly successful?



Do you always need cuspal coverage after a root canal?



Are hand files still relevant, or has rotary completely taken over?



And does GP pumping really improve the effectiveness of irrigants like hypochlorite?



Emma returns for another Protrusive Student Series episode as she heads into her final year of dental school. Together, we explore the fundamentals of endodontics - covering restoration choices, success criteria, instrumentation, and irrigation protocols.



This episode breaks down the basics every student and young dentist should understand, while also tackling the common debates and real-world challenges of endo.




https://youtu.be/DK1ZAEPE_E4
Watch PS017 on YouTube



Key Takeaways




* Understanding the 'why' behind dental procedures is crucial for effective practice.



* Both hand files and rotary files have their place in endodontics, especially for beginners.



* Good irrigation techniques are essential for effective endodontic treatment.



* Rubber dam isolation is critical for safe and effective endodontic procedures.



* Learning to determine the master apical file size is a key skill in endodontics.



* The use of EDTA helps in removing the smear layer during root canal treatment.



* Endodontic specialists often use advanced techniques and tools for more efficient treatments.



* Success in endodontics is not just about radiographs, it is sometimes defined by patient comfort and healing.



* Cuspal coverage is often necessary after root canal treatment.



* Patient communication is key to managing expectations.



* Consent forms should be tailored to individual cases.



* Understanding proprioception is important for tooth preservation.




Highlights of this episode:




* 00:00 Teaser



* 00:51 Intro



* 02:50 Emma's Final Year Reflections



* 04:34 Exploring Specialties



* 07:02 Endodontics: A Student's Perspective



* 08:15 Rotary vs Hand Files



* 11:45 Step-by-Step Notes for Students



* 14:24 Patency and Recapitulation



* 14:55 Determining Master Apical File Size



* 16:58 Irrigation Protocols and Techniques



* 21:22 Typical Irrigation Protocol



* 23:51 Rubber Dam Importance



* 27:25 Rubber Dam Importance



* 28:21 Role of 17% EDTA



* 28:59 Success Factors in Endodontics



* 29:46 Success Factors in Endodontics



* 30:46 Real-World Endodontic Practices



* and Challenges



* 32:11 Understanding Success and Survival in Root Canal



* 34:26 Successful Outcomes



* 36:24 Success vs Survival



* 38:12 The Debate on Cuspal Coverage and Timing



* 40:48 Proprioception



* 41:54 Pre-Endodontic Build-Up

How should you  gain consent for ELECTIVE treatments?



Is selling in dentistry something to avoid, or an essential part of patient care?



How much does emotional intelligence really matter for your success and happiness?



Dr. Colin Campbell joins for a powerful episode that dives into consent, sales, and the balance between profit and ethics in dentistry. He also unpacks the huge role of emotional intelligence—not just in clinical practice, but in life.



Expect real talk, strong opinions, and communication gems that can reshape the way you connect with patients and approach your career.




https://youtu.be/Wtugp1t-IrM
Watch PDP244 on Youtube



Protrusive Dental Pearl: Read (or listen to) the book Let Them by Mel Robbins — a powerful reminder to take control of your own life and emotions instead of letting outside events dictate them.



Takeaways




* Building trust with patients is crucial for effective consent.



* Consent should be a relationship management exercise, not just a legal formality.



* Understanding the patient's perspective is key to effective communication.



* Elective treatments should be approached with caution and ethical considerations.



* Sales in dentistry is not a dirty word; it's about providing solutions to patients.



* Emotional intelligence is a vital skill for dentists to develop.



* Good dentistry is about doing what is best for the patient, not just for profit.



* Continuous education and self-improvement are essential for success in dentistry.




HIghlights of this episode:




* 00:00 Teaser



* 00:44 INTRO



* 01:44  Protrusive Dental Pearl



* 02:58 Welcoming Dr. Colin Campbell



* 04:55 Colin’s Background and Philosophy



* 05:36 The Importance of General Dentistry



* 08:40 Finding a Niche vs. Being a Generalist



* 11:14 Understanding Consent in Dentistry



* 17:42 Fear of Losing the “Sale”



* 18:50 Building Trust with Patients



* 22:09 Consent Process Overview



* 22:49 Patient Consultation Process – Building the Bridge to Trust



* 29:00 Developing Emotional Intelligence (EQ)



* 30:00 Patient Consultation Process – The Mechanics



* 30:58 Patient Consultation Process – Exploring Options



* 31:13 Join Protrusive Guidance



* 34:34 Patient Consultation Process – Exploring Options



* 34:36 Patient Consultation Process – Follow-Up and Consent Pathway



* 35:54 Patient Pathways After Consultation



* 36:48 Treatment Plan Letters & Legal Angle



* 38:45 Approach to Consent Letters



* 40:21 Personality Types in Consultations



* 42:21 Systematizing Your Process



* 43:37 Ethics in Elective Treatments



* 53:15 Guidance for New Dentists on Elective Treatments



* 56:33 Interjection



* 57:48 Guidance for New Dentists on Elective Treatment...

Can and should Dentists carry out home sleep testing?



It’s actually super easy and I have been doing it for 18 months!



What happens after you screen them—do you know what to do next? This episode will teach you!



Dr. Jaz Gulati shares his personal journey into incorporating sleep testing in practice—after 1.5 years of doing it, the impact has been nothing short of game-changing.




https://youtu.be/H4rTkIuOHWI
Watch PDP243 on Youtube



Joined by clinical sleep scientist Max Thomas in this jam-packed episode, they deep dive into what it really means to go beyond awareness of sleep-disordered breathing. He breaks down the practical steps for dentists who want to do more than just refer—and start making a difference in their patients’ lives.



You’ll learn how to bridge the gap between theory and action, how to screen effectively, and why you play a pivotal role in the patient’s journey to better sleep, more energy, and a healthier life.



Protrusive Dental Pearl: If a patient has been seen gasping, choking, or stopping breathing during sleep — that’s pathognomonic for sleep-disordered breathing.



Don’t ignore it — they likely need a sleep study. Ask this in every history!



Key Takeaways:




* Understanding obstructive sleep apnea is crucial for dentists.



* Dentists are in a unique position to screen for sleep disorders.



* The Malampati score is an easy tool for assessing airway obstruction.



* Sleep disorder breathing can significantly affect quality of life.



* Patient history is vital in diagnosing sleep apnea.



* Quality of sleep is more important than quantity.



* Dentists should ask specific questions to identify sleep issues. Sleep position can significantly affect sleep quality.



* Screening tools like Stop Bang and Epworth are essential for identifying sleep disorders.



* NHS sleep testing can vary greatly in wait times depending on location.



* Snoring is often a precursor to more serious sleep disorders.



* Dentists can play a crucial role in sleep disorder management.



* CPAP is the gold standard for treating sleep apnea.



* Understanding the legalities of sleep screening is vital for dental professionals. Remote monitoring became essential during COVID-19, shifting paradigms in sleep medicine..



* Remote monitoring helps ensure patients are truthful about their usage of devices.



* Mandibular advancement devices may be more effective for certain patient profiles.



* Patient compliance is crucial, with many struggling to adapt to CPAP.




Highlights of this episode:




* 00:00 Teaser



* 01:15 Intro



* 04:51  Protrusive Dental Pearl



* 05:52 Introducing the Expert: Max Thomas



* 09:39 Importance of Screening and Diagnosis



* 13:41 “Crowding” at the Back of the Mouth



* 14:46 Mallampati Score



* 18:54 Understanding Sleep-Disordered Breathing



* 25:35 Screening Tools and Techniques



* 32:09 Screening Questionnaires