Content Dam Diq Online Articles 2016 11 16nov3bcednotet

Dentistry

Clinical blunders, mishaps, and picking the right kind of irrigant when doing root canal therapy

Nov. 1, 2016

Imagine sitting in a lecture titled, “The 10 biggest mistakes I’ve made clinically since graduating from dental school.” You would probably be intrigued because in the back of your mind, you’re starting to mull over all the blunders you’ve had since getting the title of doctor. Breakthrough Clinical’s Editorial Director Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, writes about some of her clinical dentistry blunders, mishaps, and hand-to-forehead moments of things that she had to learn the hard way.

Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, Editorial Director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical e-newsletter

This article first appeared in the newsletter, DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS. Subscribe here.Imagine sitting in a lecture titled, “The 10 biggest mistakes I’ve made clinically since graduating from dental school.” I’ll submit that you would probably be intrigued because in the back of your mind, you’re starting to mull over all the blunders you’ve had since getting the title of doctor. And yes, it’s kind of embarrassing to own up to and admit those things ever happened. This month I write about some of my blunders, mishaps, and hand-to-forehead moments of things that I’ve just had to learn along the way, the hard way. If I call these my “on-the-job expensive educational moments,” it makes me feel better. Just don’t laugh too hard.

What is in your arsenal of irrigants when you do root canals? Is one irrigant better than another? Endodontist Barry Musikant breaks it down and goes over what works best and why. There is even a new product on the market that you may want to consider using.

The pathology case for this month is something that’s commonly observed with many differentials. Take a look at this lesion and see what you come up with.

The end of the year is around the corner—hard to believe. Next month we’ll give you Breakthrough Clinical’s top articles for the year.

Happy Thanksgiving and Cheers!

Stacey L. Simmons, DDS
Editorial Director, DE’s Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS

This article first appeared in the newsletter, DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS. Subscribe here.

LAST MONTH . . .Buying new toys for your dental office

Stacey L. Simmons, DDS, is in private practice in Hamilton, Montana. She is a graduate of Marquette University School of Dentistry. Dr. Simmons is a guest lecturer at the University of Montana in the Anatomy and Physiology Department. She is the editorial director of PennWell’s clinical dental specialties newsletter, DE’s Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS, and a contributing author for DentistryIQ, Perio-Implant Advisory, and Dental Economics. Dr. Simmons can be reached at [email protected].

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About the Author

Stacey L. Simmons, DDS | Editorial Director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical e-newsletter

Dr. Stacey Simmons grew up in Hamilton, Montana. She did part of her undergraduate work at Purdue University and then received her bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology from the University of Utah. After applying to both medical and dental school, she decided that dentistry was her career of choice. She received her DDS degree from Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2004. In private practice, she focuses her care on prosthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. She is a guest lecturer in the Anatomy and Physiology Department at the University of Montana. Outside the office, she trains for triathlons and spends time with her family. You may contact Dr. Simmons by email at [email protected].

In 2015, Dr. Simmons became the editorial director of DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS, an e-newsletter focused on breaking through plateaus in clinical practice. Subscription information may be found here.

Updated May 4, 2016