ABE Endodontics study plan
ABE Endodontics · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Nonsurgical Root Canal Treatment: Access, Cleaning, Shaping, and Disinfection
Diagram the access-to-obturation sequence for a necrotic molar, labeling at least six decision points from access outline through final irrigation.
Compare four shaping systems by taper, metallurgy, recommended motion, and one clinical risk for each.
Write an irrigation protocol specifying concentration, volume, contact time, activation method, and safety controls for a tooth with an open apex.
Solve 20 self-authored vignettes on canal negotiation, ledge avoidance, and perforation recognition, recording the rationale for each answer.
Your checkpoint
A one-page shaping-and-irrigation decision matrix plus a timed 30-question self-quiz scored at 80% or higher, with a written correction for every missed item.
Nonsurgical Root Canal Treatment: Access, Cleaning, Shaping, and Disinfection & Clinical Diagnosis, Pulp Vitality Testing, and Treatment Planning
Build a curved-canal preparation checklist covering orifice shaping, glide path, patency, and anti-zip measures.
Apply a diagnostic hierarchy of history, pulp testing, percussion, probing, and radiograph interpretation to 15 written cases.
Differentiate irreversible pulpitis, symptomatic apical periodontitis, asymptomatic apical periodontitis, and acute apical abscess using at least three clinical findings each.
Interpret the sensitivity and specificity of cold testing, electric pulp testing, and percussion in a short written summary.
Your checkpoint
A 15-case diagnostic worksheet with pulpal and apical diagnoses, confidence ratings, and a correction log for any missed finding.
Clinical Diagnosis, Pulp Vitality Testing, and Treatment Planning & Pulpal and Periapical Biology, Pathogenesis, and Histopathology
Describe the histopathologic progression from reversible pulpal injury to necrosis and apical periodontitis, naming four hallmark features.
Correlate clinical test results with histologic states and explain at least three false-positive and false-negative scenarios.
Construct a treatment-planning algorithm for deep caries, cracked teeth, and previously root-treated teeth.
Evaluate restorability, periodontal status, and root fracture risk in 10 written prognosis scenarios.
Your checkpoint
A treatment-planning flowchart plus a 10-scenario prognosis table with a defensible rating and rationale for each case.
Pulpal and Periapical Biology, Pathogenesis, and Histopathology & Endodontic Microbiology, Inflammation, and Host Response
Explain how biofilm ecology and extraradicular infection contribute to persistent apical periodontitis.
Summarize host inflammatory mediators and bone-resorption pathways in periapical lesions.
Distinguish contamination, colonization, and infection in endodontic sampling and state the clinical implication of each.
Justify when antibiotics are indicated versus not indicated for endodontic infections.
Your checkpoint
A one-page concept map linking endodontic microbiology to host response and a 25-question quiz scored at 80% or higher.
Obturation, Coronal Seal, and Restoration of the Endodontically Treated Tooth & Nonsurgical Retreatment, Instrument Separation, and Management of Procedural Complications
Compare cold lateral, warm vertical, and carrier-based obturation by fill density, length control, and fracture risk.
Design a coronal-seal and restoration plan for anterior, premolar, and molar endodontically treated teeth.
Analyze 10 retreatment cases for missed canals, ledges, separated instruments, and perforations, and select a management strategy for each.
Explain bypass and removal techniques for separated instruments and identify when referral or surgery is preferable.
Your checkpoint
A retreatment decision table covering at least eight complication scenarios with a preferred and an alternative management pathway.
Nonsurgical Retreatment, Instrument Separation, and Management of Procedural Complications & Surgical Endodontics: Periradicular Surgery, Intentional Replantation, and Microsurgical Principles
Outline indications, contraindications, and flap-design choices for periradicular surgery.
Describe microsurgical principles including magnification, illumination, ultrasonic retropreparation, and retrofill material selection.
Plan the management of a perforation, a separated instrument, and a failed previous root canal in three written cases.
Compare intentional replantation with apical surgery for a specific molar scenario, citing at least four decision factors.
Your checkpoint
Three written case plans with a surgical-versus-nonsurgical justification and a 20-question quiz scored at 80% or higher.
Surgical Endodontics: Periradicular Surgery, Intentional Replantation, and Microsurgical Principles & Dental Trauma, Root Resorption, and Regenerative Endodontic Procedures
Classify internal, external cervical, inflammatory, and replacement resorption by radiographic and clinical features.
Apply trauma management principles to crown fractures, luxation injuries, and avulsion, including timing and splinting.
Explain regenerative endodontic procedure indications, disinfection limits, blood-clot technique, and follow-up expectations.
Sequence care for a traumatized immature tooth from the emergency visit through a 12-month review.
Your checkpoint
A trauma timeline and resorption classification table covering at least six injury or resorption scenarios.
Dental Trauma, Root Resorption, and Regenerative Endodontic Procedures & Local Anesthesia, Pain Management, and Endodontic Pharmacology
Build a local anesthesia plan for a mandibular molar with irreversible pulpitis, including at least two supplemental techniques.
Summarize analgesic and antibiotic pharmacology relevant to endodontic pain, including dosing, timing, and adverse effects.
Review all nine domains through spaced retrieval and correct every missed item from prior quizzes.
Complete two full-length timed mock exams and analyze error patterns by domain.
Your checkpoint
A final one-page high-yield summary sheet plus two mock-exam score reports with an overall score of 80% or higher and a domain-specific remediation list.
Milestones
Week 2: Shaping-and-irrigation decision matrix is complete, and the 30-question quiz is scored at 80% or higher with a written correction log.
Week 4: A 50-question cumulative quiz covering domains 1 through 4 is scored at 75% or higher, with a remediation list for every missed concept.
Week 6: All retreatment, complication, and surgical case plans are complete, and the 20-question quiz is scored at 80% or higher.
Week 8: Two full-length mock exams are completed with an overall score of 80% or higher, and every domain below 75% has a written remediation plan.