Endodontic Treatment: the Prerequisite for the Placement of Fiber Posts

The study and practice of Endodontics includes basic clinical science comprising the biology of healthy pulp, and the etiology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions. Until the middle of the 19th century, endodontics did not play a significant role in dental therapeutics, as there was no prevention, no scientifically tested materials, no standardized and reliable clinical protocols. During this era, endodontic treatment was performed on a trial and error basis, with little chance of predicting clinical outcomes. However, during the last 50 years, a whole generation of dentists has become committed to this field of dentistry, with the ultimate realization of endodontics as a clinical speciality. The innovations in restorative dentistry over the past decade have contributed significantly to improving the quality of the restorations of root-treated teeth, giving them a better long term prognosis. Microbiologic studies have demonstrated that controlling pulpal infection is of utmost importance for successful endodontic treatment, and directed the therapy to a rational approach no longer founded on an empirical but on a scientific basis. The introduction of new materials and instruments for the preparation, cleaning, shaping and obturation of the root canals has contributed to the dissemination of endodontic practice among general dentists. While this has allowed clinicians to restore teeth that previously would have been extracted, it has clearly demonstrated the limits of contemporary endodontics. Like every discipline, endodontics has guidelines and clinical protocols, which every dentist should carefully follow to achieve success and reduce the number of failures.