Contemporary endodontology

Clinical endodontics has made significant progress during this century. This lecture will critically review the major breakthroughs that have taken place during this period. The final judgement of the value of this progress, however, is the quality of care we can deliver to our patients. Although the advances have been impressive, there are also major disappointments and problems that need to be recognised. Looking at clinical endodontics today, there is clearly a dissonance between sound scientific knowledge and empirical clinical practice. It is important that these problems are recognised and that endodontic research and teaching are refocused. Only by decisive action can progress be assured for clinical endodontics and the prospect will be bright.