It is a truth universally acknowledged that a dentist in possession of a root canal file must be in want of a less controversial solution.
I, a person of agreeable wit but insatiable curiosity, found myself ensnared in the most peculiar of predicaments on a humid Bombay evening in the year of our Lord 2012. As was my custom, I sat in repose, indulging in the exquisite decadence of masala chai while idly perusing the musings of self-proclaimed health savants. It was at this most tranquil of moments that a message from a dear but woefully misguided friend did arrive.
“Root canals are toxic, bro. They cause cancer. Death. Worse—bad breath.”
Such was the violence of my reaction that I very nearly ejected my beloved chai in an unceremonious spray. “Ah, the internet,” I murmured, dabbing at the sacrilegious spillage upon my otherwise pristine lab coat. “That wondrous dominion where science is rewritten with the flair of a scandalous period drama.”
Yet, though the claim was a veritable affront to reason, a small and most inconvenient thought nestled itself within my mind: What if root canals could be rendered obsolete? The notion was at once preposterous and tantalizing, and despite my firm conviction that gutta-percha was not the nefarious villain it had been cast as, my relentless inquisitiveness would not be silenced.
At precisely 1:00 AM—an hour when all persons of sound disposition are lost to the embrace of Morpheus—I seized my phone and summoned my old friend, the ever-experimental Dr. Sanjay Jamdade of Boisar.
“Sanjay,” I intoned, my voice thick with a mixture of urgency and delirium, “what if, instead of performing root canals, we could regenerate pulp?”
A long pause ensued, no doubt the sound of his faculties struggling against the tide of exhaustion. Then, in the unmistakable tone of a man regretting his life choices, he queried, “Are you drunk?”
“No, but consider this—what if we employed a GBR membrane as a scaffold?”
“Hmmm,” mused Dr. Sanjay, his skepticism dissipating like mist before the morning sun. “Or perhaps, we might transplant pulp from another tooth?”
This most unorthodox discussion spiraled forthwith into a veritable tempest of speculation, each proposal more outrageous than the last—until, at the ungodly hour of 2:00 AM, our mutual acquaintance, the illustrious Dr. Asma Ahmed of Dubai, entered the fray.
“Lasers,” she proclaimed with an air of solemn finality.
“Lasers?”
“Low-level laser therapy. It stimulates regeneration.”
I gasped. Dr. Sanjay grumbled. “Lasers? Growth factors? What next—alchemy?”
“Stem cells,” Dr. Asma added with dramatic flourish, as though delivering the coup de grâce.
Thus ensued a most frenzied descent into the abyss of academic literature, culminating in the discovery of a study published in 2011, wherein potential methodologies for pulp regeneration had been proposed. In that distant year of 2012, these ideas remained in the realm of hopeful conjecture, a tantalizing mirage on the horizon of scientific progress.
But let us journey forth to the present day, the fabled year of 2025, wherein endodontics has ascended to unimaginable heights. AI-driven diagnostics now reign supreme, robotics deftly assist in procedures of exquisite precision, and guided endodontics offers unparalleled mastery over working length and width. Bioprinting of pulp-like tissue, once the stuff of idle musings, now edges ever closer to the realm of reality. What once transpired in a late-night delirium has transformed into the very vanguard of dental innovation.
And thus, dear reader, let it be known: root canals are not a nefarious ploy of malevolent forces, but a mere stepping stone on the inexorable march of scientific advancement. Perhaps, in the fullness of time, we shall regard gutta-percha with the same bemused nostalgia as one regards the dental barbarisms of yore. The progress of knowledge is ever wrought by the reckless wonderings of the inquisitive mind. So, ponder freely, debate boldly, and perchance, you too shall find yourself at the precipice of a new dawn in dentistry.
There are signs for those who ponder.
Hay signos para quienes meditar.
Author: Dr. Syed Nabeel, BDS, D.Orth, MFD RCS (Ireland), MFDS RCPS (Glasgow), a distinguished dental professional, is the Founder and CEO of DentistryUnited.com, a pioneering platform established in 2004 to foster knowledge-sharing within the global dental community. His relentless pursuit of advancing dental education led to the creation of Dental Follicle – The E-Journal of Dentistry (ISSN 2230-9489) in 2006, a publication dedicated to scholarly discourse and contemporary advancements in the field.
As the Managing Director of Smile Maker Clinics Pvt Ltd, Dr. Nabeel oversees a growing network of dental clinics in South India, where excellence in patient care is seamlessly integrated with innovation. His clinical expertise lies in Neuromuscular Dentistry, Full-Mouth Rehabilitation, and Smile Makeovers—areas where he has transformed countless lives through meticulous, patient-centered care. Beyond clinical practice, his in-house research team is a rare testament to his commitment to evidence-based dentistry, making Smile Maker one of the few private practices globally that actively contributes to dental literature.
With over two decades of experience, Dr. Nabeel has emerged as a leading authority in occlusal dynamics and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. His holistic approach to neuromuscular occlusion places patient well-being at the forefront, ensuring precision-driven, long-lasting outcomes. Passionate about the intersection of digital dentistry and artificial intelligence (AI), he continues to explore how cutting-edge technologies can revolutionize diagnostics, treatment planning, and patient experience.
A natural educator and thought leader, Dr. Nabeel is a sought-after speaker in neuromuscular dentistry and practice management, captivating audiences with his practical insights and evidence-based methodologies. His lectures focus on workflow optimization, patient engagement strategies, and the seamless integration of modern technology in dental practices—empo wering fellow professionals to elevate their standards of care.
Beyond dentistry, Dr. Nabeel’s intellectual pursuits extend to wildlife photography, travel, gardening, and creative thinking, reflecting his insatiable curiosity and deep appreciation for life’s wonders. His ability to blend science with artistry, precision with empathy, and tradition with innovation underscores his unique impact on the dental profession.
Currently based in Mysore, India, Dr. Nabeel remains steadfast in his mission to redefine the future of dentistry through education, research, and clinical excellence. This blog, originally published as Editing the Practice in 2012 on DentistryUnited, has been thoughtfully reimagined for Gen Z dentists—acknowledging that while the essence of great dentistry is timeless, the tools and techniques that shape it continue to evolve with each generation.
For inquiries, collaborations, or insightful discussions, Dr. Syed Nabeel can be reached at dentistryunited@gmail.com.