LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 21, 2020) — The University of Kentucky College of Dentistry's Division of Endodontics recently completed renovation efforts on its endodontic suite on the third floor of the Dental Science Building. Current participants of the college's Endodontic Scholar Program and third-and four-year dental students utilize the suite to provide advanced endodontic care to UK Dentistry patients.

"Our recent renovation allows the clinic to provide superior care to patients as well as a superior educational experience to our providers working in this space," said Dr. Al Wiemann, chief of the Division of Endodontics. "The technology we're utilizing allows for the provision of more complicated endodontic treatment, which in turn better supports the saving of natural teeth."

Many patients benefit from the college's Endodontic Scholars Program, as the offering supports a cost-effective means of receiving advanced endodontic therapy. The renovated endodontic suite houses surgical operating microscopes, surgical ultrasonic units, the latest in chairside technology and convenient access to Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT). Advanced training paired with leading-edge technology provides more treatment options for patients to preserve their smiles.

"With the amount of technology present, microscopes and CBCT, I feel we are able to manage more challenging cases with better outcomes, said Dr. JT Ross, a 2020 graduate of UK College of Dentistry and current Endodontic Scholar.

Each endodontic dental operatory now includes a mounted Global Surgical Operating Microscope and Dentsply Sirona Intego dental treatment center tailored to endodontic patient care needs. Additionally, the suite's esthetics were updated and modeled after private practice design. The adjoining newly designed Endodontic Conference Room allows for both the observation and discussion of cases being addressed in the clinic in real-time and the ability to record via integrated video capturing each clinic operatory.

"The integration of the microscopes, with their high-power magnification and enhanced visualization, along with chair-mounted monitors, allows for a different dimension in educating dental students on the complexities of endodontic treatment through observation," said Dr. Sierra Nunn, a 2019 graduate of the UK College of Dentistry and current Endodontic Scholar.

The college's Division of Endodontics, led by Wiemann and Dr. Mark Schachman, director of graduate endodontics, supports the endodontic care needs of patients, oversees endodontic-related DMD dental student didactic education, clinical training and patient case support, and manages the college's post-doctoral, one-year endodontic scholar offering.

"The College of Dentistry is currently in the application process for launching an accredited, 24-month Endodontic Residency Program," Schachman said. "Our renovated suite offers future residents the latest in technology at their fingertips to support endodontic patient care."

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