Dr Shalin Desai - Endodontist

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Dr Shalin Desai - Endodontist

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Endodontist. Dental Specialist for root canal treatment and dental trauma

Dr. Shalin Desai has completed Doctor of Clinical Dentistry, specialising in the field of 'Endodontics' from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Prior to specialisation, Dr. Desai has spent considerable time practicing General Dentistry in public and private dental practices in Sydney. Dr. Desai holds an honorary clinical educator position with University of Sydney and staff specialist position at Westmead Dental Hospital. Dr Desai shares his clinical knowledge and experience with undergraduate dental students as well as local dentists in continual educational lectures and courses. Dr. Desai has published several scientific papers in international journals and is passionate about providing the highest quality of evidence-based endodontic treatments.

05/08/2026

Case #11 - Fatigue File Fracture ≠ Hopeless Separation

This case highlights a separated NiTi instrument caused by cyclic fatigue fracture, which differs significantly from a torsional fracture.

Fatigue fractures occur from repeated cycles of tension and compression in curved canals. They typically show no visible unwinding or distortion before separation, and the fractured segment is often slightly loose within the canal, making bypassing more predictable.

In contrast, torsional fractures occur when the file tip binds while the shank continues to rotate. These files often show signs of unwinding, twisting, or deformation, and the fragment may be more tightly engaged within dentine.

In this case, careful negotiation with small hand files and considerable patience allowed successful bypassing of the fragment, followed by disinfection, intra-canal medication, and obturation. The separated instrument was ultimately entombed within the final root canal filling.

12/03/2026

Finding MB2 - An Advanced Endodontic Workshop @ ADA NSW CPD.

Great vibe with amazing dentist colleagues.

Thank you ADA, Dentisply and Zeiss.

06/08/2023

Negotiating Canal Curvatures ...

27/08/2021

Case #10: The power of destruction Vs the power of healing.

Trauma many years ago and now severe swelling. Mechanical aspect of the endodontic intervention is routine, however what one may learn from the case:
1) Initial extra-/ intra oral swelling and /or extensive level of periapical bone destruction are not default indications of poor prognosis. As a general rule, check for the crestal bone level integrity. If crestal bone all around the tooth is deemed intact (check axial view on CBCT) then one has a good prospect of favourable healing; provided the source in and around the root is dealt effectively - with either non-surgical or surgical means.
2) A simple large single canal appearance on the radiograph could be deceiving. Lower incisors often have two root canals and finding the lingual canal requires an active effort.
3) Endodontic pathology is not contagious. When a large radiolucency is noted, often but not always, one tooth is the source and the adjacent teeth can simply be ruled out by sensibility tests. I repeat the tests every appointment to confirm vitality of the teeth in vicinity of the pathology.
4) In large pathology scenario, patience is the virtue. This must be communicated clearly to the patient. In this case, the initial indication of favourable healing was clinical - resolution of swelling and healing of the buccal draining sinus but it took nearly five months to show hard-tissue healing.

26/08/2020

We practice with safety of our patients, staff and families. All our surgeries follow guidelines recommended by Australian Dental Assoication and NSW Health.

20/05/2020

Case #9: Calcified root canal with lateral root pathology

Interesting case of calcified root canal in tooth 22. The tooth is also an abutment for a recently cemented Zirconia bridge. To make the situation further challenging, the associated endodontic pathology in this case is present on the lateral aspect of the root.

Endodontic literature says that even if the radiographic appearance of the root canal space is complete obliteration, a histological section of the root would show presence of the canal space that is at least wide enough to accomodate #10 file (0.10mm) (Kuyk & Walton 1990).

Although this sounds very promising for clinical negotiation in a severely calcified root canal, it is not always easy or even successful. This is due to the contents of the canal space (vital / inflamed / necrotic pulp tissues, irregular hypo-mineralised dentine) that could constitute a barrier to the passage of these small instruments.

Clinical suggestions to locate and negotiate calcified canal are - a fine ultrasonic tip, suitable magnification, adequate illumination, a good understanding of root anatomy / curvature / inclination in the arch, a good communication with the patient and finally ample time and patience.

Lateral endodontic pathology indicates presence of a lateral canal in the root. The simplest and most predictable means to demonstrate presence of a lateral canal in the root using root canal filling material is "Hypo Irrigation ''. Make sure that you irrigate and irrigate and irrigate until you are tired and then again irrigate the canal prior to placement of the sealer / GP filling using a warm vertical compaction technique.

Cheers

Shalin Desai

09/05/2020

Dear Doctors,

ADA-level 2 restrictions are downgraded to ADA-level-1 guidlines starting from Friday 8th May 2020. This is a good news for patients as well as our dental community as we can now perform all endodontic procedures for our patients.

Kind Regards,

Dr. Shalin Desai and Team

Address

Suite 411, 33 Lexington Drive Level 4, Suite 411
Bella Vista, NSW
2153

Telephone

+61288145621

Website

http://www.norwestendo.com.au/

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