Associate Professor 

Geoff Young

BDS(Hons)(Syd), DClinDent(Melb), FRACDS(Endo), FICD, FPFA

A/Prof Young obtained his BDS degree (University Medal) from the University of Sydney, his specialist degree from the University of Melbourne, and was the first endodontist in NSW awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons in the Special Field of Endodontics. He subsequently established Sydney Endodontic Centre – a specialist endodontic group practice in the Inner West of Sydney. A/Prof Young is Head of Endodontics at the Department of Dentistry, Latrobe University. He holds an Adjunct Associate Professor appointment at the School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, and a Clinical Senior Lecturer appointment at the University of Sydney where he has provided clinical teaching for over 15 years. A/Prof Young is committed to the development and provision of continuing education through the Australian Dental Association and the RACDS. He is a past president of the Australian Society of Endodontology (NSW Branch), having served on the executive committee for over 8 years, and a past Councillor and Board Director of ADA(NSW).

Lecture Synopsis 

Endodontic irrigation has traditionally been a simple procedure based on positive pressure needle irrigation. The physical limitations and fluid dynamics encountered in root canal systems make it difficult to effectively eliminate biofilm bacteria using conventional irrigation modalities, especially in the apical third. Enhanced irrigation strategies have been developed with the aim of more thoroughly disinfecting the entire root canal system and thereby improving treatment outcomes. This lecture will discuss the current status of irrigation enhancement strategies and their impact on clinical treatment outcomes based on current best evidence.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion, participants should be able to:

• Identify the physical challenges to effective irrigant delivery in root canal systems.
• Discuss the different techniques available for irrigation enhancement and explain how these techniques can improve the disinfection of complex root canal anatomy.

Key References:

Boutsioukis, C., Arias-Moliz, M.T. (2022). Present status and future directions – irrigants and irrigation methods. Int Endod J. 55(Suppl. 3): 588-612