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ROEN0410

20 I I feature _ interview et al., he authored the world famous Toronto Study, a series of articles in the JournalofEndodontics. This is an extensive piece of work that illustrates and analyses the status of endodontics, starting with the publication of the first results in the year 2000 up to and including 2010. In his excellent lecture, Prof Friedman made clear thatdifferencesintheevaluationandsuccessorfail- ureofanendodontictreatmentgreatlydependonthe methods and structure of the evaluating studies themselves. If the correct evaluation criteria are applied, the success rate of endodontic treatments over the last ten years is around 88 to 95%. Amongst the various authors, a high consistency of results is noticeable. These studies are encouraging. _The new product Revo-S was a part of further presentations. Dr Balto, in connection with the inno- vativeRevo-Sconceptyoualsospokeaboutthe‘third dimension’ of endodontic treatment. Would you pleaseillustratethemainpointsofthesystem? Dr Khaled A. Balto:Ingeneral,endodonticrotary systems are evaluated with regard to the parameters of geometric features, taper, tip size, etc. Therefore, the equation for efficiency of a given file has long been considered to be inner core size and symmetric design (which means perfect geometry), which re- sults in stronger files. After 17 years of using Rotary NiTi files, we have learned that the equation for effi- ciency is rather the asymmetric design and efficient clearing of dentinal debris. This understanding was applied in the conception of the Revo-S system. Revo-Sistheresultof17yearsofcriticalperform- ance analysis, which for the first time addressed the concept of dynamic asymmetry. As a result, we now have files with better penetration and a better clear- ing effect. Moreover, it is efficient, with only three files for initial treatment and much less likelihood of separation. To perceive the bio-mechanics of the file in the ‘third dimension’, the canal depth, the kinetics of Revo-S—the way it rotates inside the root canal— are analysed. _What is your view of endodontics in the Arabic regioncomparedtotheWesternworld? Endodontics is a rapidly growing speciality in the Arab world in general, particularly in Saudi Arabia. Rotary endodontics, micro-training, warm obtura- tiontechniquesaswellasmodernretreto-donticsare allanintegralpartofteachingcurriculaatmanyuni- versities. However, as in many other countries in the world, there is a wide range of performance results depending on the experience of the dentists and the difficultyofthecases.Individualvariationplaysasig- nificantroleinthetreatmentstandards.Forexample, being an associate in a practice limited to micro- endodontics in Jeddah, I treat patients from all over the world as well as locals. I have managed failures fortreatmentsrendereddomesticallyandfromother countries.Allinall,Idonotseesubstantialdifferences between the different countries in regards to the standard of treatment however, there might be a dif- ference in the number of well qualified individuals. _Your comprehensive publications illustrate the widerangeofyourwork.Whatareyouworkingonat themoment? Being an academic, clinician and researcher at the same time is rather difficult but not impossible. As Deputy Director of the Center of Excellence for OsteoporosisResearchinJeddah,mycurrentresearch focuses on osteoporosis as it relates to oral health. Since I returned from Harvard Dental School, where I receivedmyD.M.Sc.,theessenceofmyresearchinter- est has remained the same, which is in brief: cellular and molecular mediators of infection-induced bone destruction,evidence-baseddentistryandotherclin- ical endodontic research. _Apart from publishing, how do you exchange informationwithinternationalcolleagues? The world has become a small village thanks to therecentdevelopmentsininformationandcommu- nication technology. The Internet is the driving force for today’s information exchange. Online publishing, discussion forums, YouTube, etc. make it easy to stay in touch and remain updated on new developments. In my opinion, postgraduate training programmes in endodontics constitute the most important corner- stone. As Director of the Saudi Board of Endodontics, I have the privilege of reviewing articles and thus am constantly kept up to date on what’s new. Addi- tionally, I value the international interaction that is possible through conferences and meetings like the AGE meeting. We would like to thank you for this interview and wishyoucontinuingsuccess._ Editorial note: The interview was led by Jeannette Enders andSteffiGoldmann. roots4_2010 “Revo-S is the result of 17 years of critical perform- ance analysis.” Dr KhaledA. Balto