Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE RDN3101

 
TITLE Endodontology

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Restorative Dentistry

 
DESCRIPTION This study-unit is a comprehensive study of dental pulp anatomy, physiology and pathology and treatment of pulpal and periapical disease.

The investigation, diagnosis, treatment planning and management of pulpal and periapical disease are discussed in detail. The reactions of pulpal and periapical tissues to adverse stimuli from dental caries, trauma, and dental restorations are discussed including preventive measures to maintain pulpal vitality.

Study-unit Aims:

The aims of this study-unit are to educate the students about:
- The dental pulp and the importance of maintaining its vitality;
- How adverse stimuli can predispose the pulp to loss of vitality;
- How to investigate and diagnose an endodontic problem;
- How to formulate an appropriate endodontic treatment plan;
- How to perform endodontic treatment on different tooth types.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Discuss the complex anatomy of the dental pulp, root canal system and pathways of infection;
- Explain how various adverse stimuli affect the dental pulp;
- Explain how to preserve pulp vitality and how to treat a diseased pulp;
- Describe the bacteriology and mechanisms of action of the microbiota in the diseased pulp;
- Explain the need for isolation procedures in endodontic treatment;
- Explain the proper procedures for treating an endodontic problem, to include endodontic access, root canal preparation and obturation;
- Describe the role of irrigating solutions, medicaments and other materials used in Endodontics;
- List the basic concepts of surgical procedures in Endodontics.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit, the student will be able to:

- Perform the necessary investigations to determine the etiology of a suspected endodontic problem;
- Perform diagnostic testing of a suspected endodontic problem;
- Develop an accurate endodontic diagnosis;
- Formulate an appropriate endodontic treatment plan;
- Perform various measures to preserve pulp vitality;
- Perform proper isolation for endodontic treatment;
- Use current accepted treatment methods to access and prepare the root canal system;
- Obturate the root canal system using various techniques.

Main Text/s and any supplementary readings:

- Pitt Ford TR. Harty's Endodontics in Clinical Practice. 5th Ed- 2004 ISBN: 0-7236-1089-4.

Supplemental reading

- Tronstad L. Clinical Endodontics : a textbook . 3rd Ed- 2009. ISBN: 9783137681038.
- Ingle, John I, Bakand LK, Baumgartner JC. Ingle’s Endodontics. 6th Ed- 2008. ISBN: 9781550093339.

 
RULES/CONDITIONS Before TAKING THIS UNIT YOU MUST PASS RDN2101 AND PASS RDN2102 AND PASS RDN2103

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES A pass in this study-unit is required before registering for RDN4034.

Please note that a pass in the Practical component and a pass in the Examination component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded.

Attendance to scheduled sessions, inclusive of lectures/tutorials, practical, laboratory and clinical components is compulsory. Students who do not attend at least 90% of the scheduled sessions will not be allowed to sit for any of the assessment components mentioned below.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture, Independent Study & Practicum

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Classwork SEM1 No 30%
Practical [See Add. Notes] (1 Hour) SEM1 Yes 30%
Examination [See Add. Notes] (1 Hour) SEM1 Yes 40%

 
LECTURER/S Daniel Keir
Maria Magri
Emre Tezulas
Maria Vella

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit