Decision No. 2: Is Your Endodontics Illuminating (Figures 1c to 1f)? Q: Do you see and then believe, or do you believe and then you see?
A: The truth is that the answer is both: in endodontics when we see, we have to believe. The converse, when we believe, we see is also true. When we believe that anatomy is novel and mysterious, we are not surprised or foiled during endodontic mechanics. Nature gives us the microscopic roadmap to perform masterful endodontics.
So what is the best, most efficient, and superbly ergonomic way to see? It is what we see with the endodontic microscope. While the first significant endodontic decision is to know your endodontic anatomy, the second is to see your endodontic anatomy in an optimal way. In order to perform the endodontics of possibility, your second decision is simple: test drive the microscope, get trained, and purchase the microscope for your endodontic treatment…start to finish. The proof of the pudding is 99.9% of trained microscope users never return the microscope (Global Surgical Microscope Accounting Statistics).
Training in established microscope training centers comes as a significant added value when you purchase the microscope from the Global Surgical (globalsurgical.com/dental). The learning curve is not steep when procedures are first accomplished using previous illumination/magnification techniques; and then use the microscope to inspect first at lowest magnification. Almost always, the dentist observes areas of refinement or frank correction that are needed in any procedural step. Then it is only a matter of time before the dentist is seeing and doing at the same time versus doing blindly, then seeing, and then attempting to correct while in the blind again. The microscope makes delicate endodontic movements intentional, efficient, and safe.
`The biggest buzzword in endodontics, however, is not the microscope, although most master endodontists believe the microscope is still the profession’s best-kept secret. The next transformation in endodontics is the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging (Figure 1f). For the first time, the dentist can see a tooth and its surrounding conditions in 3-dimensions (3-D). In addition, the CBCT is the first step toward seeing the root canal system itself with the same kind of accuracy as the ToothAtlas is able to scan an actual tooth.
Guideline No. 2: Get trained in the mastery of the microscope and you will experience newfound control and confidence in unraveling the roadmap of endodontic anatomy.
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| Figures 2a to 2g. Decision No 3: Access. (a) Line diagram of anterior root canal system (lateral view). (b) Access with restricted access. (c)Incisal or essentially enamel triangle No. 1 removed. (d) Lingual or essentially dentin triangle No. 2 removed. (e) Both triangle Nos. 1 and 2 removed. (f) Line diagram of posterior tooth where distal canal has unrestricted dentin access but mesial canal requires removal of internal dentin triangle. (g) Line diagram illustrates how chamber calcification creates chamber triangles that are easily seen and can be removed with the illumination, magnification, and precision of the microscope. |
