The Interview: Dr Julian Webber
We interview our friend and colleague, Dr Julian Webber who is a practising endodontist on Harley Street. We find out what he loves about his role, what motivates him and the latest technology in his field.
“No two cases are ever the same. Every case is a challenge. Without challenges, one can never aspire to DO or even BE the best.”
Dr Julian Webber
How did you specialise in endondontics and what is it?
I had always wanted to travel to the USA for post graduate studies after I qualified BDS at Birmingham University in 1974. The opportunity to do this came in 1976 when I was offered the Charles Freeman Scholarship of the American Dental Society of Europe which paid for my tuition fees at Northwestern University for the MSc and Certificate in Endodontics. This was a two-year course, and I became the first UK dentist to achieve a North American qualification in Endodontics.
My intention was to do a restorative/prosthodontics course, but I was persuaded by the late Richard Mitzman to pursue a career in endodontics as there were so few endodontists in the UK at that time. Richard was a well-known and quite superb specialist restorative dentist working in Wimpole Street at the time and had also gained a DDS from the University of Southern California. As a friend of the family, he was a very important mentor and key figure in my early career. We worked together at 43 Wimpole Street on my return.
According to the American Association of Endodontists of which I am a full member, the following is a definition of the field. “Endodontics is the branch of dentistry concerned with the morphology, physiology and pathology of the human dental pulp and the periradicular tissues. Its study and practice encompass the basic and clinical sciences including the biology of the normal pulp and the ethology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries of the pulp and associated periradicular conditions.”
As a well travelled person, what has helped you in your travelling experiences within your role?
I have travelled to all continents, teaching colleagues, visiting colleagues, and attending meetings both as a participant and invited speaker. I can count amongst my friends, some of the world’s greatest and well-known endodontists such as, Gary Carr (San Diego, USA), Cliff Ruddle (Santa Barbara, USA), John West (Seattle, USA) as well as Pierre Machtou in Paris France. Through my association with these renowned colleagues, I have learnt and perfected skills not only in treatment, but also running a successful endodontic referral practice as well as, the most important thing of all…. managing patients especially those who are on many occasions, fearful of root canal treatment.
What cutting-edge technology is there relating to Endodontics?
Mechanical endodontics has changed forever the way clinicians shape and clean canals. Ultrasonic devices ensure root canal systems are cleaned in three dimensions. The microscope ensures canals are never missed and improves the outcome of conventional, retreatment and surgical endodontics. Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), has revolutionised diagnosis and treatment planning. Endodontics is very technologically driven in the modern era.
What about mechanical Endodontics Vs Manual?
Mechanical endodontics was developed to improve shaping outcomes with consistency for all clinicians. Manual endodontics is time consuming, involves many instruments which can lead to iatrogenic issues which effect outcomes. Mechanical endodontics is either rotary, or reciprocating and different root canal files have been designed to reflect the different movement. I am very proud to be a co-developer of the WaveOne Gold reciprocating single file system developed by Dentsply Sirona. It is the number one selling instrument in the world, and I had the honour to be invited to work with the R and D team along with Sergio Kuttler (Florida, USA), Willy Pertot (Paris, France) and Cliff Ruddle (California, USA).
Tell us about the teaching side of your career?
I have given many courses in the UK at section 63 level, as well as at major meetings such as the BES and BDA prior to 1995. At that time, Dentsply Maillefer in Switzerland invited me to a course on the ProFile system which was the first well known rotary instrument developed by Ben Johnson (Tulsa, USA). After listening to Ben and trying out the wonderful instrument, I was totally smitten with mechanical endodontics, and this started a relationship with Dentsply Maillefer/Sirona as a key opinion leader which continues to this day.
What pearls of wisdom or advise would you give to our patients?
I do see quite a lot of root end resorption which can be quite catastrophic at times because of orthodontic tooth movement, BUT this is usually self-limiting once orthodontic forces are stopped. The patient does need to be advised of this as a risk when undertaking orthodontics and a referral to an endodontist should be considered to assess the extent of resorption clinically and radiographically (CBCT may be needed) vitality needs to be assessed, as endodontics may be needed. Dr Kaval Patel and I work very closely in this respect and have monitored many cases together.
What is next in Endodontics?
Regenerative endodontics and the regrowth of vital tissue into the canal space of immature and infected teeth with continued root development is a very exciting area of treatment and continuing research. The concept of minimally invasive endodontics continues to grow to preserve as much tooth structure as possible; especially in paracervical areas of the root. CBCT is now being expanded too as part of this concept, and its use in guided navigation (akin to implant placement) to find and locate canals previously impossible to locate, is another exciting development.
With tooth survival as the goal, it is so encouraging to know that our treatments are very much on a par with any implant. The literature is unequivocal on this. In the words of CliffRuddle “the natural tooth is the ultimate implant.”
Who or what inspires you?
Innovation and innovators inspire me not just in endodontics, but any field where the public is the most important consideration. You know who my mentors and icons are.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Even at the ripe old age of 69, I have turned into a bit of a fitness freak, working out regularly in my pursuit of the goal to being the “Peter Pan” of dentistry. I spend a lot of time with the family, my wife Cara and two lovely grandchildren. I am a lifelong season ticket holder at Tottenham Hotspur and attend matches regularly. I love good food and fine wines and at times, am partial to a single malt. I am content and widely recognised as a “laid back” person by all my friends and colleagues.
Biography
Dr Julian Webber has been a practising endodontist in Central London since 1978 and opened the Harley Street Centre for Endodontics in October 2002. He has helped to train many general dentists in the skills of modern endodontic technique. He created the Young Dentist Endodontic Award to recognise and encourage the achievements of young dentists in this complex area.
He was the first UK dentist to receive a Masters Degree in endodontics from a university in the USA and received his BDS from Birmingham University in 1974 and his MSc and Certificate in Endodontics from Northwestern University Dental School, Chicago, USA in 1978.
He is regularly called on to lecture at major world dental and endodontic conferences and events.
For more information visit www.roottreatmentuk.com