Paul Byfleet seeks to reframe clinician anxiety regarding endodontics, sharing that with the right tools to hand, confidence can be built while performing this important treatment modality.
Anecdotally, we in the dental sector are aware that that many a general dentist has shied away from root canal work at one point or another, and this is understandable.
As Carrotte (2005) wrote: ‘Endodontics is a skill requiring the use of delicate instruments in confined spaces. Inevitably, problems will occur, but many of these are avoidable providing the operator exercises care and patience.’1
With this in mind, here we consider how endodontics can become a more straightforward treatment protocol as well as a profit builder, as the keys to endodontic success are predictability and efficiency.
Evolving with endo
It was back in the early 1890s that Willoughby Miller demonstrated the presence of bacteria in dental pulp in his publication, The Micro-Organisms of the Human Mouth.
This brought to the fore the idea that bacteria could damage the dental pulp, leading to the concept of root canal irrigation.
Over the years, as has been the case with all dental and medical treatments, our understanding of the human body has improved, supported in no small part by advances in technology.
Meanwhile, dentists and their teams have worked hard to keep up with the inevitable evolution of endodontics, all the while battling the public perception that root canal treatment is about as bad as it gets.
Protocols and partnerships
The truth is that while endodontics can be challenging in some cases – and these are often the patients who need to be referred to a specialist – with the right tools and protocols in place, root canal treatment can become straightforward to perform.
This is because, actually, most cases require exactly the same procedures to be completed in the same order.
Meanwhile, perhaps it is no coincidence that Kerr Dental came into being at the same time as Miller was making his discoveries, committed as the company is to providing customers and their patients with unrivalled peace of mind, alongside a proven evidence base stretching back decades.
All of this comes together for the benefit of the patient. This is something every clinician strives to achieve.
As written by Dr Herb Schilder in his ground-breaking 1967 article: ‘Vertical condensation of warm gutta percha produces consistently dense, dimensionally stable, three-dimensional root canal fillings.’
The natural conclusion of this is that when the dentist is armed with the right tools, patients can be provided with a consistent level of treatment. As a result, this reduces the likelihood of retreatment due to the three-dimensional fill of the root.
Looking to the future
Many question whether endodontics has a long-term future, to which I unequivocally say, ‘yes’.
It fits perfectly with the modern ethos of minimally invasive treatment, as well as offering a practice building opportunity.
As stated succinctly by Glassman (2012): ‘As the health of the attachment apparatus associated with endodontically treated teeth becomes fully understood and completely appreciated, the naturally retained root will be recognised as the “ultimate dental implant”. When properly performed, endodontic treatment is the cornerstone of restorative and reconstructive dentistry.’
To help achieve such successful outcomes, control, flexibility and also reliability are key characteristics that dentists should always be looking for in endodontics products.
When you have the right the right solution in your hands for each step of your treatment, you will experience ease of use, achieve precision and build confidence.
We at Kerr are adaptive in our approach and can pivot quickly to meet our customers’ needs, all because we have this incredible heritage. Plus, throughout the years, several key leaders and diverse endodontic companies have joined our team to make us what we are today: a leader and partner in endodontic evolution.
We are making the most of that to offer simplicity of use with guarantees and peace of mind. If you would like to know more about how Kerr can support you, your practice, your team, and your patients moving forward, please visit www.store.kerrdental.com/en-uk or contact your local rep or preferred dealer.
Seven steps to successful endodontics*
Efficient and excellent endodontic treatment for your patients is most rewarding with the recent advances in endodontic technology.
However, endodontic treatment requires a high level of technical skills and an understanding of the biological process.
The following seven tips will allow you to improve your root canal treatment:
- Gather the correct information
- Case selection
- Anaesthetic, isolation, and access
- Working length determination
- Rotary/reciprocation instrumentation
- Biochemical irrigation
- Continuous wave obturation.
* For full details about each of these steps, simply download the guide by Dr John Olmsted at https://bit.ly/3OuoTnz.
References
- Carrotte P. Endodontic problems. BDJ 2005; 198: 127-133. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4812037
- Miller WD. The micro-organisms of the human mouth: The local and general diseases which are caused by them. S. S. White Dental Mfg. Co. 1890
- Schilder H. Filling root canals in three dimensions. Dent Clin North Am. 1967; 723-44
- Glassman G. Three dimensional obturation of the root canal system: continuous wave of condensation. Roots 2012; 3: 20-26
