Research
The published research behind root canals and broken instruments.
The short version
Prof. Dr. Arshad Hasan has 15 peer-reviewed papers on root canal treatment, 7 of them as lead author, and 1 on retrieving a separated instrument. Each is listed below with its journal and a link that opens the paper. The clinic’s success rates for root canals are its own figures and are set out separately, so the two are not confused.
Papers on root canal treatment and re-treatment.
Newest first. These are titles and journals only: a paper about a laboratory model or a case report is evidence of expertise, not a promise about any one patient’s tooth.
- 012023Exploring the Most Effective Apical Seal for Contemporary Bioceramic and Conventional Endodontic Sealers Using Three Obturation TechniquesMedicinaRead
- 022018Combined Endodontic and Surgical Management of Twin Rooted Maxillary Lateral Incisor with a Palatogingival Groove.Iranian Endodontic Journal · lead authorRead
- 032026An Animal Model of Pulpitis Based on an Outbred Mice Strain and Its Histological AnalysisJ. of Visualized Experiments (JOVE) · lead authorRead
- 042023A novel experimental model to investigate fungal involvement shows expression of Dectin‐1 in periapical lesion pathogenesisJournal of Oral Rehabilitation · lead authorRead
- 052023Investigating In Situ Expression of Neurotrophic Factors and Partner Proteins in Irreversible PulpitisJournal of EndodonticsRead
- 062022Gene expression analysis of toll like receptor 2 and 4, Dectin-1, Osteopontin and inflammatory cytokines in human dental pulp ex-vivoBMC Oral Health · lead authorRead
- 072022Expression of Toll-like receptor 2, Dectin-1, and Osteopontin in murine model of pulpitisClinical Oral Investigations · lead authorRead
- 082022Association between maternal chronic apical periodontitis (CAP) and low birth weight preterm birth (LBWPT)J. Pakistan Medical AssocRead
- 092021Outcome Of Endodontic Procedures Performed By Dental Interns Using Stainless Steel And Niti Files: A 10- Year Retrospective Study.J. Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad · lead authorRead
- 102021Access Cavity Preparations: Classification and Literature Review of Traditional and Minimally Invasive Endodontic Access Cavity DesignsJournal of EndodonticsRead
- 112021Effect of Natural and Artificial Dentin Conditioners on the Release of Vascular Endothelial Growth FactorJournal of EndodonticsRead
- 122020Erosive Potential of 1% Phytic Acid on Radicular Dentine at Different Time IntervalsEuropean Endodontic JournalRead
- 132020CHARACTERISTICS OF POST-NATAL PAKISTANI WOMEN WITH CHRONIC APICAL PERIODONITITISJ. Medical Sciences (Peshawar)Read
- 142019Comparison of Post Instrumentation Pain Score in Irreversible Pulpitis with Occlusal Reduction Versus No Occlusal ReductionJ. Pakistan Dental AssocRead
- 152018Combined Endodontic and Surgical Management of a Palatogingival GrooveIranian Endodontic Journal · lead authorRead
Papers on retrieving a separated instrument.
Dr Arshad describes broken instrument removal as the most difficult procedure in dentistry. Dentists across Pakistan refer these cases to him, and he runs workshops in the technique.
What the work shows, in his own words.
Dr Arshad’s own one-line summaries of selected papers, set down as he wrote them and not rewritten.
“I have described a standardised and reproducible method for studying pulpitis in an animal model, which reduces the chances of variation in methodology affecting the results.”
“Based on my doctoral research. Scientific evidence was provided for the first time for the presence of receptors responsible for detecting fungal pathogens in the immune cells of the dental pulp.”
“A comparison of the errors made by house officers when they performed with either older root canal instruments or the newer ones. The results may help policy makers make informed decisions for better patient outcomes.”
“This review paper not only proposed a new classification for making access cavities for root canals, it also provided clear evidence that very conservative and small access cavities should be avoided.”
“This was my first paper in the prestigious Journal of Endodontics, and also the first original article by any Pakistani author based in Pakistan in this journal.”
Where the success rates come from.
The clinic states a success rate of 95 to 100% for a root canal, falling to about 85 to 90% where the tooth already has infection in it, over periods exceeding ten years. Re-treatment of a failed root canal is likewise put at 85 to 90%.
These are the clinic’s own published figures, given by Dr Arshad. This page does not claim that the papers above are their source.
Dr Arshad has 48 papers in all, across endodontics, operative dentistry and dental education. The complete record, with every link, is on the publications page.
Common questions
Questions people ask about this work.
01How successful is a root canal, and how long will the tooth last?
The success rate is 95 to 100%. If the tooth already has infection in it that falls to about 85 to 90%, which does not reduce how worthwhile the procedure is. Those figures are for periods exceeding ten years.
02Will a broken file come out easily?
Broken instrument removal is the most difficult procedure in dentistry, so nothing about it is easy. A fair idea of whether it can be retrieved can only be given after trying it in the first visit.
03What makes a broken-instrument case difficult or easy?
A small file broken in the upper part of a canal in a front tooth is fairly simple. A difficult case is a long file broken in the mesial root of a second molar, in a patient with limited mouth opening.
Tell us what happened, and we will tell you what can be done.
Examination, X-ray and diagnosis are PKR 3,500, and you decide afterwards.