Endodontic Burs Uniquely Designed for Precision and Preservation
A Minimally Invasive Approach
As dentist and University of Pennsylvania professor M.M. DeVan once wrote, the goal of dentistry “should be perpetual preservation of what remains rather than meticulous restoration of what is missing.” This too is the aim of minimally invasive endodontics (MIE), a philosophical and technical approach to practice that prioritizes the preservation of natural tooth structure while eliminating the causes of infection. Maximizing conservation of healthy peri-cervical dentin during root canal therapy helps maintain the tooth’s biological and functional integrity, improving restorative outcomes and increasing survival prospects for endodontically treated teeth. In addition to reducing the likelihood of repeated repair cycles, MIE mitigates pain and discomfort for patients, leading to less anxiety surrounding treatment and greater satisfaction with care received.
Revolutionizing Root Canal Access
MIE is a relatively recent development in dentistry, made possible largely by advancements in materials and instruments used in treatment. A pioneer in this space has been SS White®, a manufacturer with a legacy of innovation stretching back nearly 200 years. In 2011, the company revolutionized endodontic access with the launch of EndoGuide®, a unique set of 8 carbide burs that enable efficient, minimally-invasive non-surgical root canal treatment. Unlike round burs which are designed to cut vertically and horizontally and can cause run-off and difficulty finding canals during endodontic access, SS White EndoGuide Burs are funnel-shaped. Their patented, conical micro-diameter tip acts as a self-centering guide for precision, straight-line access to canals. This design offers multiple advantages over conventional round burs. First and foremost, EndoGuide Burs reportedly conserve 40% more peri-cervical dentin, fulfilling the primary goal of a minimally invasive approach. Other benefits include decreased file deflection, enhanced tactile sense of dentin and calcified canals, as well as easier visualization of hidden canals, which can reduce or even eliminate dependence on costly ultrasonic instrumentation.
Embraced by Specialists and General Practitioners Alike
Over the years, EndoGuide Burs have been widely embraced by practitioners of MIE, earning a place in the armamentarium of endodontists and general dentists alike. A DPS Product Review was conducted with 12 clinicians—a mix of endodontic specialists and general practitioners with a combined 269 years of practice experience. All dentists surveyed offered praise for EndoGuide’s ease of use, self-centering ability, as well as the extra visibility afforded by the burs’ diminutive tip size, with 2 dentists calling the latter the product’s “standout feature.” The doctors likewise noted EndoGuide Burs’ cutting efficiency, which was found to provide time savings, eliminate multiple access paths, and reduce gouging and ledging. Regarding the burs’ facilitation of dentin conservation and overall satisfaction with the product, one evaluator remarked, “They are very conservative burs and when used with a microscope can be very effective in improving endodontic access.”
EndoGuide Burs are available in task-specific kits for anterior/bicuspid and molar teeth, as well as 5-pack refills of individual burs. To learn more and order products for your practice visit SS White’s website.