Endodontic Microscopic Treatment
Microscopic Endodontic Treatment, or the so-called root canal treatment, involving the removal of the nerve, is a fairly common procedure in any dental office, especially in endodontic practices. Its purpose is to treat the pulp chamber, the canal system, and the nerves to eliminate any possible infection.
Endodontic treatment that utilizes a microscope has the highest success rate, exceeding 90%, as it eliminates various risks in both the non-surgical and surgical stages. In contrast, traditional endodontic treatment has a success rate of only 50-60%.
The dental microscope operates through a system of magnifying lenses, aiming to enlarge the image, thereby illuminating the canal treatment procedure. In essence, it eases the work for the endodontist, enabling more accurate and faster treatment due to a much-improved view of the problem and the treatment process.
Steps of Microscopic Endodontic Treatment
First and foremost, the accurate diagnosis of the condition is crucial. This is achieved through a clinical examination and mandatory radiological examinations (2D periapical X-ray or, in more complex cases, CBCT, cone-beam computer tomography). This allows the endodontist to have as many anatomical details in three dimensions as possible for canal recovery and better observation of canal curves.
Subsequently, during the microscopic endodontic treatment, the tooth requiring treatment is isolated with a dental dam, which is mandatory. It provides comfort for both the patient and the dentist. The dental dam blocks saliva from entering the canal, which is loaded with bacteria, and also prevents the entry into the oral cavity of chemical substances that have an unpleasant taste but are necessary for root canal cleaning.
As the final step, the soft tissue inside the tooth is removed, and the root canals are instrumented using an endodontic motor. The endodontic motor enlarges and shapes the root canal system conically, making it easy to chemically disinfect.