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ePaper created 2016-01-20, 13:53:08 | version 1.38.0
I 03 editorial _ roots I roots1_2015 _It may seem that today, at the start of the third millennium, we have already seen all major revolutions in endodontics, if not in dentistry altogether, with the new breakthroughs and discoveries onlydetailingthetechniquesandtechnologiesalreadyinexistence.Toproduceandresearchanewidea, dental scholars today need to join efforts with engineers, physicists, biologists, geneticists and others; oneexampleofarelativelyrecentsuccessfulcollaborationisthedevelopmentofanNiTiheattreatment and twisting technology, which began a new era in the manufacture of endodontic files. But do revolutions and advancements actually raise the overall standard and quality of treatment or it is rather the implementation of the gold standard of patient care, based on the established scien- tificprinciplesandclinicalprotocols,inthedailyworkofeverypractitioner,andnotnecessarilyanything costly (e.g. the use of conventional irrigants and sterile water in a specific sequence to chemically pre- pare the root canal system, minimise postoperative pain and prevent internal leakage)? This, unfortu- nately, is yet to be achieved, and it will require overcoming psychological barriers, quasi-scientific bias, and financial limitations. Inasmuch as we attempt to remain objective in assessing our own work, there are limits to self- criticism, especially when there is literature today supporting almost any technique. It is impossible to over-emphasise the importance of pushing oneself out of one’s comfort zone, and full conference halls and hands-on courses are good proof that there are many clinicians who have already embarked on the path of continuous learning and training. Inanidealsituation,manufacturersshouldhavesufficienttimetodevelop,testandverifynewtech- nologies before approving a new product. In the past, there were research and development depart- mentsthatcollaboratedwithreputablescholarsandpractitionersforaboutadecadepriortofinalising a prototype for clinical trials. However, now it seems that the planet is rotating faster—and the urge to introduce novel ideas has never been stronger. Consequently, the risk of failure is higher than ever. It is absolutely critical that all new developments be deeply rooted in quality research with strict statistical control for significance. This would be the only way to protect clinicians, and ultimately patients, from failure and malpractice. At present, our task is to achieve this goal in our own daily work in the office and in our communica- tion with colleagues around the world. Our work should be aimed at developing best practice guidelines forthecommunity,whichwillneedtobeupdatedregularlyatconsensusmeetings.Alongsideotherpro- fessional journals, specialist endodontic publications like rootswill play an important role in updating the community. Attheendoftheday,eachandeveryeffortbyascholar,manufacturer,practitionerorassistantshould uncompromisingly be aimed at patients’ health. Endodontic treatment too should be conducted in the interestofthepatient,whoseimmediatewell-beingandlong-termhealthshouldbeseenastheutmost priority above all personal and corporate ambition. Yours faithfully, Prof. Philippe Sleiman, DDS, MSc, DDSc Adjunct Associate Professor, University of North Carolina Assistant Professor, Lebanese University dental school Prof. Philippe Sleiman Dear Reader,