Despite the fact that degradation and dissolution of gutta-percha (GP) and sealer (SE) jeopardize positive treatment outcomes, these legacy materials are still used in diverse protocols for root filling canals. 1 This paper reviews the historical cognitive dissonance in endodontics; the biochemical seal created by GP and SE diminishes over time with negative sequelae and … Read more
Errors accumulate during procedures. That’s the reason botching the access at the start of an RCT is so much more devastating than say, problems that come from misfitting a gutta percha cone just before finishing the case. Miss a canal and the case is going down regardless of how brilliant the remaining procedure is carried … Read more
IntroductionAs a practicing endodontist and a clinical endodontic educator for more than 30 years, the most frequent question I am asked about technique is, “Is it predictable?” While every dentist wants his or her endodontic treatment to be easier, more efficient, simpler, and profitable, in the end, it is predictability that trumps all considerations. As … Read more
Innovations in the micro-armamentarium, techniques and materials used for endodontic microsurgery are seminal to enhanced predictable outcomes by comparison with historical microsurgical procedures. The superior magnification and illumination of surgical operating microscopes heightens identification of root peripheries, ensures a lesser degree of root reduction and diminishes the size of osteotomies thus retaining greater residual bone. … Read more
Introduction Among the most frequently performed procedures in dentistry are posterior direct composite restorations. Traditionally requiring the incremental placement of composite layers in order to prevent polymerization shrinkage, postoperative sensitivity, and marginal leakage, direct posterior restorations can be difficult and time-consuming treatments. 1-3 Their location in the mouth can oftentimes hinder the precise placement of … Read more
Abstract The successful outcome of endodontic treatment depends on an appreciation of the internal and external tooth morphology. Teeth with unusual root canal anatomy present a unique challenge even to experienced clinicians. This case series describes the endodontic treatment of maxillary premolars with three root canals. The identification and management of this uncommon anatomical variation of the … Read more
Non-surgical endodontic therapy requires access preparations that uncover entrances to the labyrinthine tunnels of the root canal system. The era of bio-minimalism has altered the traditional configuration of endodontic access cavities. These bio-minimalistic trends are also transforming endodontic surgery. 1 The use of surgical operating microscopes (Global Surgical Corporation, St. Louis, MO) facilitates smaller crypt … Read more
The GentleWave® Procedure effectively cleans and disinfects while conserving more precious tooth structure. Simultaneous cleaning of all canals, deep into dentinal tubules, isthmi, lateral canals and other complex anatomy is accomplished through a proprietary technology that leverages multisonic energy, advanced fluid dynamics, and accelerated chemistry for improved patient outcomes. The GentleWave® System’s mechanism of action … Read more
One of the most controversially debated topics of modern dentistry has been whether to retain a tooth with endodontic treatment or to extract it and replace it with an implant. In the 1980s, implant dentistry became the mainstream treatment modality, with the purported promise of a maintenance free, definitive and long term solution for a … Read more
Traumatic injuries to teeth and their supporting structures comprise approximately five percent of all traumatic injuries.1 Clinical and radiographic examinations are integral parts of diagnosis and treatment planning. Occlusal and periapical images have been suggested to determine the extent of damage to dentoalveolar structures. Due to their limitations as two-dimensional imaging modalities, it is necessary … Read more
System-based solution designed to offer convenience and precise color matching Dentsply Sirona Endodontics has combined two proven systems to create a convenient, single-system solution with the introduction of its new GuttaCore® for WaveOne® Gold system. The system brings together the benefits and predictability of WaveOne Gold canal shaping with the three-dimensional fill of GuttaCore. GuttaCore … Read more
Resorption of tooth structure happens in primary and permanent dentitions. Physiologic tooth resorption involves primary teeth, preceding their shedding. In permanent dentition, tooth resorption is a pathologic phenomenon, and is classified as internal or external resorption, depending on the surface of tooth structure involved. External root resorption can be further classified into surface resorption, external … Read more
Dr. Marina Polonsky is back to talk about successful endodontic treatment, a topic also found in her feature article in May Oral Health. In this latest Clinical Brief video, Dr. Marina takes us more in depth of the case, her choices and the success she found. Watch last week’s video – ODA ASM150 Overview Read … Read more
Have we gone too far with rating our health care providers? I am an otherwise lovely middle-aged woman, who is going through menopause. What that means is that on good days I wake up merely hating most people. Bad days are at least one log scale worse. Let’s just say I have been heard … Read more
Many of our patients are attracted to the allure of cheaper dental treatment abroad. Tooth #36 in the accompanying radiograph (Fig. 1) and photo (Fig. 2) is an example of such a case. Unfortunately in this case, almost every possible iatrogenic endodontic mishap was encountered. This treatment is substandard and if done in Canada the … Read more
Abstract Successful outcomes of root canal treatment, in addition to a multitude of factors, also depends on the prevention of reinfection of the root canal space. The ultimate goal of root canal treatment is prevention or healing of apical periodontitis. The use of biologically active materials to seal root canal systems has been extensively proposed … Read more
The purpose of this article is to specifically evaluate the new ProTaper Gold: “A One Year Clinical Performance Retrospective.” Nickel titanium (Ni-Ti) file systems have come and gone. Mostly gone. Since the introduction of the first files around 1993, 1 industry, scientists, dental companies and clinicians have all been looking for the magic file. While … Read more
Extract Preservation of natural tooth structure during an endodontic procedure is paramount in order to ensure predictable clinical success. In the past, access cavity preparation, instrument design and taper as well as spatial accommodation for obturation techniques has inadvertently induced iatrogenic potential to the results achieved and over time, functional stresses have caused the tooth … Read more
Using Er,Cr:YSGG 2780nm and Diode 940nm Laser Systems: A Three-Year Follow-Up Case Report Abstract Endodontic therapy for teeth diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis has been in use for many years, and continues to be the standard of care in the dental practice. In simple cases, where mechanical instrumentation and chemical irrigation can achieve sufficient cleaning and … Read more
Clinical examination and radiographic imaging are the key steps in diagnosis and treatment planning in endodontics. Up until recently, intraoral, panoramic, and occlusal radiographs were the only imaging modalities available to dentists to rely on. These radiographs are two-dimensional (2D) images of three-dimensional (3D) structures with their inherent limitations such as image distortion and superimposition. … Read more