AAE25 in Boston: A Resounding Celebration of Endodontic Excellence

Posted in Annual Meeting | April 6, 2025

The American Association of Endodontists brought together a dynamic global community of dental specialists for AAE25, held April 2–5, 2025, at the Hynes Convention Center in the heart of Boston. From cutting-edge clinical education to inspirational leadership moments and meaningful networking, AAE25 delivered on every front—affirming its role as the premier event in endodontics and breaking previous attendance records with a total of over 4,600 attendees!

An Educational Experience Like No Other

AAE25’s robust scientific program offered more than 100 hours of continuing education, drawing from the profession’s leading voices in clinical care, research, and education. With a wide range of learning formats—including lectures, hands-on workshops, poster presentations, and small-group discussions—the meeting was designed to accommodate varied learning styles and interests.

Popular tracks included:

Nonsurgical Root Canal Therapy, with updates on bioactive materials, instrumentation, and irrigation.
Surgical Endodontics, focusing on microsurgical techniques and case selection.
Trauma and Emergencies, offering guidance on treating complex traumatic injuries and managing challenging diagnostic scenarios.
Practice Management and Innovation, highlighting strategies for running an efficient, patient-centered practice.

The Endo Plus track was especially well-received for its interdisciplinary approach, combining topics in periodontics, restorative dentistry, systemic health, and more. It emphasized how collaboration and comprehensive care models can improve outcomes and elevate the specialty.

A special panel revisited predictions from the 2013 session Endo in 2025, comparing those forecasts to present-day advancements. This retrospective sparked rich dialogue about how far the specialty has come—and where it's headed next.

General Session and Keynote: Starting Strong

AAE25 opened with high energy at the General Session, where attendees were welcomed by AAE President Dr. Natasha Flake and inspired by keynote speaker Ryan Leak, a best-selling author, entrepreneur, and leadership coach. Leak’s message about embracing risk, overcoming failure, and redefining success struck a powerful chord with clinicians, educators, and researchers alike.

His keynote set the tone for a meeting grounded in purpose and progress—a reminder that the pursuit of excellence in endodontics is both professional and deeply personal.

Recognition and Reflection: Honoring the Best

The Edgar D. Coolidge Awards Brunch on Saturday, April 5, was a heartfelt celebration of the individuals whose careers have profoundly shaped endodontics. From early-career volunteers to lifetime educators and visionary researchers, the honorees shared moving stories of mentorship, service, and scientific achievement.

The recipients were Dr. Francisco Nieves (Spirit of Service New Practitioner Award), Dr. Demetrick LeCorn (Spirit of Service Career Award), Dr. Paul Abbott (Louis I. Grossman Award), Dr. Brian Mykleby (Calvin D. Torneck Part-Time Educator Award), Dr. Carla Falcon (Edward M. Osetek Educator Award), Dr. Brad Johnson (I.B. Bender Lifetime Educator Award), and Dr. Ken Hargreaves (Edgar D. Coolidge Award).

These inspiring moments underscored the deep commitment, innovation, and humanity that drive the specialty forward.

Community and Connection

Beyond the CE and honors, AAE25 was a celebration of shared purpose and community. Attendees reconnected with friends and colleagues at the Welcome Reception and created new memories at Celebrate Boston!, a signature social event held at the historic Boston Public Library.

Throughout the meeting, attendees participated in networking lounges, alumni receptions, poster sessions, and discussion groups. Young professionals and residents had ample opportunity to meet mentors, explore career options, and deepen their engagement with the AAE community.

Shaping the Future of the Specialty

AAE25 also provided a platform for professional advocacy and governance. Members gathered for district caucuses and the General Assembly, where key association business was conducted and incoming leadership was officially installed.

In her final remarks, Dr. Natasha Flake reminded members of their collective power to “make endodontics look good”—through excellence in practice, generosity of spirit, and a willingness to lead.

Looking Ahead to AAE26

As the event concluded, energy remained high with anticipation for AAE26, scheduled for April 15–18, 2026, in Salt Lake City, Utah. With the success of AAE25 as a foundation, the future of the meeting—and the specialty—looks bright.

AAE25 proved once again that endodontics is not only a specialty defined by clinical skill but also by connection, innovation, and a commitment to preserving natural teeth and improving patient lives. As attendees return to their practices, classrooms, and labs, the lessons and inspiration from Boston will undoubtedly echo throughout the year.

Stay tuned for our full photo album!