Dr. I.B. Bender

For a man of short stature, I.B. Bender was a giant in shaping the field of endodontics. Dr. Bender started his remarkable career as an educator in 1942 at the Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, and continued with his passionate pursuit of endodontic teaching for the next 61 years. He authored more than 130 articles in medicine and dentistry and was co-author of the classic textbook, The Dental Pulp. Recipient of the most prestigious awards given to endodontists, he also served as President of the American Association of Endodontists and as a Director of the American Board of Endodontics. In 1989, the endodontic residency program at the Albert Einstein Medical Center honored him by dedicating their program as the I.B. Bender Division of Endodontics and established the I.B. Bender Research Endowment Fund.

A true Renaissance man, I.B. was internationally known not just for his boundless knowledge of endodontic literature and extraordinary insight into the biological aspects of our specialty, but also for his quick wit, enjoyable sense of humor, and persistent quest to challenge “conventional” beliefs and let science lead us into the future. I.B. was a wise man who once stated, “The clinical practice of yesterday’s endodontics becomes the heresy of today, and today’s endodontic practice becomes the heresy of tomorrow. So don’t be so rigid in your techniques or beliefs.”

I.B. took much pride in inspiring and imbuing his students with a passion for endodontic excellence. During lectures he was well known to compliment their correct answers with his wide smile, a tilt of his head while pointing his finger, and a statement that they had been “Bender-ized.” He always welcomed a challenge to the intellectual status quo, and took great pleasure in a duel of intellect. I.B. referred to himself as “the oldest living functional endodontist … who has helped to move the status of endodontics from the ‘outhouse’ to the ‘penthouse’.” He valued his close friendships and always finished his personal notes, in his uniquely recognizable penmanship, with “Azever, I.B.”

At a 1995 lecture at the I.B. Bender Conference, “The Biological Basis and Clinical Practice of Endodontics,” I.B. closed by stating: “The implementation of extended research and teaching is a means by which endodontics will be able to meet the future demands for its service. Service itself in a specialty cannot make progress. Other developments in our discipline will come from people who can touch tomorrow.” And I.B. touched tomorrow by touching the lives of all of us.

I.B. was instrumental in shaping our past, directing our present, and providing the foundation and vision for our ever-changing future. His inspiring passion for knowledge and excellence set the standards for the legions of students who will always remain indebted to him for role-modeling what a healer and teacher does for others. To commemorate this iconic role model of our specialty, we are pleased to dedicate this tenth edition of Pathways of the Pulp to Dr. I.B. Bender.