Minimally Invasive Endodontics for the GP
As technology and access to information grow, so too does the skillset of the general dentist. Among these skills are the widespread ability of general dentists to perform endodontic procedures. Today, it’s estimated that general practitioners are responsible for at least 90% of all endodontic therapy provided. This figure comes as little surprise given the many benefits of incorporating endo into general practice.
Expanding the general practice offerings to include endodontics not only allows practitioners to deliver more treatments to their existing patients, but can also serve as a selling point to attract new business. Couple this with the relatively low expense of performing these procedures and it’s easy to see how the option can quickly become very profitable for practices. Adopting endo also proves beneficial from the vantage of the patient experience—when patients can receive all the treatment they require in the convenience of their regular dental office and the company of familiar staff, this can enhance both their level of comfort and satisfaction, at once alleviating anxiety and promoting case acceptance.
Successful treatment outcomes also build patient satisfaction, and, ultimately, their confidence in a clinician’s capacity to provide quality care going forward. While there are inevitably instances where patients must be referred out to a specialist, the simplicity and reliability afforded by recent developments in technology, now more than ever, permit general dentists to achieve a high standard of endodontic success. A study of nearly 500,000 treatments demonstrated that the success rate for root canals on molars performed by general practitioners was only 5% less than that of endodontists at the 10-year mark. One advancement that enables these impressive outcomes are modern, minimally invasive endodontic (MIE) file systems like ExactTaperH DC by SS White. This second-generation toolset continues the legacy the manufacturer began in 2010 with the introduction of the first minimally invasive file system and is specifically designed with the general dentist in mind. ExactTaperH DC delivers predictable results that maximize preservation of natural tooth structure with virtually no change to a clinician’s current treatment protocol or technique. These benefits lend themselves to easier, more efficient procedures, better outcomes, and healthier, happier patients.
ExactTaperH DC offers dentists a streamlined armamentarium that simplifies endo procedures from start to finish. Included in SS White’s system are glide path, radicular access, shaper, and finishing files, along with ExactTaperH DC Gutta Percha and Paper Points that support increased accuracy of gutta-percha cone fitting and time savings. Featuring a maximum flute diameter of 0.8mm, ExactTaperH DC reportedly conserves up to 125% more peri-cervical dentin than leading alternatives when shaping the canal to a depth of 20mm. Data shows that such a minimally invasive approach gives way to greater endodontic treatment success, as maintaining structural integrity of the tooth significantly reduces the probability of root fracture.
The ExactTaperH DC system is also remarkable for its flexibility and control: smaller tapering in the mid and upper portion of the file simultaneously improves flexibility as well as provides better initial access and conservative options for the restoration. Flexibility is further augmented by a proprietary heat annealing process that reduces shape memory, enabling smooth navigation of the canal’s natural curvature while minimizing the risk of file fatigue and separation. As Reza Farshay, DMD, who exclusively uses SS White rotary files in his practice recently told Dental Product Shopper, “They’ve taken the concept of controlled memory to an unbelievable level.”
Overall, the ExactTaperH DC file system makes the myriad benefits of MIE readily accessible to both general practices and their patients. To learn more and order products for your practice visit, SS White’s website.