The tools you need to get the job done

  Posted by: manpreet.boora      27th September 2017

Endodontics is the most effective way of treating and preserving a patient’s natural tooth. Indeed, the British Endodontic Society (BES) reports that modern endodontic procedures have a consistent success rate of approximately 90 per cent – making endodontics one of the most reliable treatment modalities available to patients.

As a highly specialised field of dentistry, the tools required to perform successful treatment must be of a high quality. Indeed, the tools that dental professionals use can make all the difference between a successful treatment and a failure. As such, it is very important for any professional undertaking endodontics in their practice to be aware of the items they need for best practice.

For example, it is necessary to use a front surface reflecting mouth mirror to prevent the double image of the fine detail in an access cavity that can occur with a conventional mirror. Also, the use of end locking tweezers is advised, in order to safely transfer small items between practitioner and nurse. An endodontic probe is similarly vital, in order to detect canal orifices.

Practitioners should also make use of rubber dams. These are important in providing an isolated operatory field free from oral contamination, as well as preventing patients from accidentally swallowing or inhaling small root canal instruments.

While it may seem like a relatively minor consideration, it is also important to use suitable protective coverings for the patient’s clothes – since the accidental spillage of sodium hypochlorite can lead to complaints and even litigation.

An endodontic practice will also require a long-cone parallel radiographic system. This has been shown to be the most effective form of radiography for endodontic cases, since it allows practitioners to capture an undistorted view of the teeth and surrounding structures. Another benefit is that this system easily allows repeats, allowing for a more accurate assessment of periapical healing.

Of course, digital radiography is now being used to exceptional effect and many modern systems can be preset specifically for endodontic requirements. This technology also allows practitioners to view scans almost instantaneously, effectively streamlining the diagnostic process and allowing for a better standard of care.

Obviously, endodontic treatments are conducted on an incredibly small and complex level. Therefore, magnification is particularly useful and many practitioners opt for using dental loupes or surgical microscopes in order to complete even more intricate procedures.

A practitioner must also choose an appropriate endodontic handpiece. As always, it is vital to find a handpiece that will suit an individual’s ergonomic and clinical needs – one that will be reliable and effective and, crucially, cost-effective. Low-speed models, with precise torque control and auto-reverse, are ideal for endodontics, as are models with ‘micro’ heads to improve operatory visibility.

Along with this, practitioners must choose a file system that they can rely on to achieve excellent canal shaping and debridement. Often, it is the quality of the file that determines the overall success of the treatment, making the choice of instrument incredibly important.

The new HyFlex EDM NiTi file from COLTENE is an excellent example of a high-quality endodontic file. With over 700 per cent higher fracture resistance than previous files, this product allows for precise and reliable canal shaping, shorter treatment times and better overall results.

To find out more visit www.coltene.com, email info.uk@coltene.com or call 01444 235486

Author: Mark Allen, General Manager at COLTENE

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