Digital Planning on Guided Endodontics Technology
Author(s): Decurcio DA, Bueno MR, Silva JA, Loureiro MAZ, Sousa-Neto MD, Estrela C
Key words: Endodontics; root canal; guided endodontics; cone-beam computed tomography; software; technology
The aim of this review is to discuss the digital planning and the use of guided technology in Endodontics. The complexity of the root canals anatomy and the challenges in the microorganism’s control represent risk factors for failure after the infected root canal’s treatment. Scientific improvements associated with technological advances have enabled better predictability of therapeutic procedures results. The development of efficient and modern devices provided safer root canal treatments, with shorter clinical visits and greater patient comfort. Digital endodontics incorporated different tools and developed its own, advancing even further in resolving complex cases. The faithful copy of the internal anatomy provided by the advancement of CBCT devices and software’s, associated with the digital resources of 3D planning and printing, enabled the advent of guided endodontics. This technique is used at different stages of endodontic treatment, with specific indications and greater result predictability. Therefore, this study critically reviewed the potential clinical application of this guided access technique, and the operative steps for its safe performance in managing complex endodontic cases. The main indications are accessing calcified root canals, performing endodontic surgeries in difficult access areas, removing fiberglass posts, and accessing teeth with developmental anomalies. In summary, guided endodontics has been a precise strategy, effective, safe, and clinically applicable. This procedure represents incorporating technological resources and digital planning in the Endodontist clinical practice, increasing predictability to complex cases.
