While the overwhelming majority of comments we receive regarding our research and innovations is very positive and complementary, publishing our independent research while marketing our own endodontic file designs and claiming unbiased objectivity opens us up to criticism and scrutiny. We expect and welcome such skepticism as it inspires discussion and informs further investigations. Our hope is that our openness to criticism and our transparency in operations will ultimately serve to balance biases and provide an open dialogue wherein all perspectives may be granted equal consideration. To that end, please consider the following comments we’ve received regarding our most recent series of endo file evaluations alongside our responses to them:
Alex’s Comment: (background unknown)
Great job Dr. McSapdden! Your experiment’s design proved that your file is the best! Well done!! Now it’s time to put together an experiment to prove that your children are the cutest!! Come on man! Is this a joke? How can you sell a file and test competitor files? Well. Thanks for wasting my time reading this commercial.
Dr. McSpadden’s Response:
The instant formula for failure may be to try to please everyone but we try. We try by using equipment that can give results that can be consistently replicated independent of the operator. We try with a commitment to publishing the results without knowing in advance what the results will be. We try by inviting any change in the parameters we use for testing as well as inviting anyone to observe the results as they occur. We try by including 35 years of our past testing experience to provide the most useful information we know how. We try by using the information we have accumulated to design instruments that might help in providing solutions for clinical needs. We try by having our quest for solutions to be a continuing endeavor. We try by convincing ourselves that trying is better than doing nothing when success is unknown but that even failure might be at least some benefit. And, we will try to help you find solutions if you should ask and hope that you might try to do the same for us. And, yes my grandchildren are the cutest and, as a 75 year old grandfather who doesn’t need to sell files, I will admit that particular claim might be biased.
David Clement’s Comment: (UTHSC Grad Endo)
This is a great project you are sharing with the Endo Community. I look forward to seeing further results which you say will be distributed regularly. Just one comment, and perhaps a description criteria you could consider adding to the Descriptive Characteristics. The Circular core dimension as a percentage of the circumferential size (diameter) would be a very interesting characteristic to see. The bulk of metal in the core (Not including the exposed cutting edges) could give fundamental information/understanding on torsional strength and and Cyclic fatigue characteristics of these rotary files. It would also give information is the core area changes in the length of the blade, theoretically increasing the Flute space ( debris removing area). Again, Many thanks for sharing the project information with us.
Dr. McSpadden’s Response:
…I think your idea is excellent. It might be good to carry it a step further and have the core as a percent of the total x-sectional area. If we cannot change the program easily I can include it in the discussion. I really appreciate your interest and comments.
If you have any questions or comments of your own, please feel free to share them with us however you like. Post them here, send us an email or give us call (844) ONE-FILE [663-3453]. We value your input and perspective and hope you will help us in collaborating for the advancement of endodontics.