title: Contemporary perspectives on canal obturation.
abstract: The astute practitioner must recognize that no one particular obturation technique will satisfy the myriad of clinical cases that require endodontic therapy. The obturation method selected, whether it be a conventional method or one of the contemporary ones, must be consistent with the overall goals of clinical practice; i.e. to provide the best possible care for our patients. Although all obturation techniques have their advantages as well as their disadvantages, the clinician should be open-minded enough to accept and master a number of obturation techniques and not just focus on one. At the same time, he or she should be able to provide a biologically sound rationale for the method he or she chooses. In time, this philosophy will generate dental practitioners who can not only solve problems but who can also think critically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, Texas.
authors.forename: G N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Glickman
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gutmann
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials