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I 25 special _ advancements in endodontics I roots4_2010 knowledgeable clinician contributing to the patient’s dental health, who does not respect this imperative objective for a successful outcome. Reasons for hav- ing a separate clinician complete the coronal seal at a later time are usually business related. These type of rationalisations do not adhere to our Hippocratic Oath to promote the best interests of the patient. Figures 9a and b illustrate the reproducible healing potential of lesions of endodontic origin when this final objective of successful endodontic therapy is accomplished. The cornerstone of a successful coronal seal is the ability to obtain deep dentinal bonding. For accurate placement into deep, confined spaces, most-dual cured application tips can be augmented with a se- curely fastened etchant tip (Fig. 10). The etchant tip by Pulpdent (ref #22D100) works quite well in this regard. In order to maximise deep dentinal bonding, a dual-cured bonding agent should be used in con- junction with a dual-cured resin.45 The typical se- quence to attain maximum deep dentinal bonding after obturation is solvent, etchant, pre-bond, fol- lowed by the mixing of A and B. Owing to the com- patibility of the materials, this older generation of bonding agents has been shown to have increased bondstrengthwhenusedinconjunctionwithadual- cured resin.45 In addition to providing the coronal seal of the root-canal system, deep dentinal bonding must also ensure the retention of the core. Each case should be individually assessed in this regard. _The future of endodontics Currently,manyareinfavourofalternativestothe retention of natural teeth through successful endo- dontic therapy. Not since the focal infection era have we seen such ill-advised loss of viable teeth. These opponentsofendodontictherapyfeelthatthefieldis a dying profession. They speak of root-canal therapy asaholdingpatternforanimplant.Indeed,thisstate- ment may be true when the requirements for suc- cessful treatment are not strictly adhered to. Fortu- nately,dedicatedclinicianshaveneverbeenequipped with so many tools to diagnose correctly and treat complex endodontic disease. The ability to provide endodontic excellence is more attainable today be- cause of our ability to see, disinfect and seal the en- tire root-canal system in 3-D. Fig. 7_This case illustrates a lack in respect for the need to place a proper coronal seal immediately after obturation. Fig. 8_This relatively similar case illustrates a significantly increased prognosis owing to the fulfilment of this final requirement for success. Figs. 9a & b_Deep dentinal bonding was accomplished with a dual- cured resin to complete the final requirement of successful endodon- tic therapy. Fig. 10_Most dual-cured application tips can be augmented with a securely fastened etchant tip to allow for deep placement into confined spaces. Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Fig. 10 Fig. 9a Fig. 9b