Root-canal treatment is the most technically demanding procedure in dentistry. In order to prepare and obturate successfully the labyrinthine root-canal systems that we are faced with on a daily basis, relying purely on tactile sensation, takes great skill, developed over many years to even come close to mastery of the art. Since the technical difficulties are considerable, it is perhaps understandable that great pride can be taken in the production of an aesthetically pleasing post-operative radiograph. Equally understandable perhaps, if we judge the success of our procedure this way, is that much of the teaching and practice of endodontics focuses on the technical skills required to achieve good results. Does it matter then that we are treating a disease? In order to achieve good outcomes, do we really need to understand the disease we are treating, or simply be proficient at preparing and obturating canals?
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