Saving More Teeth

Although the goal of saving teeth remains the same, endodontics has evolved over the years, becoming more conservative and biologically friendly. This month, our cover story explores some of the more recent advances in endodontics that have improved outcomes in the areas of disinfection, cements, and imaging. The use of new irrigation techniques, bioceramic materials, and CBCT is not only helping specialists deliver the most optimal endodontic therapy in complex cases but also making basic endodontic treatment more predictable for general practitioners.

Personally, I'm OK with general practitioners performing endodontics if it is done to the standard of care, but I refer all of my cases out to an endodontist. However, as the article notes, CBCT can provide valuable information about the anatomy and any pathoses in 3D, so I employ it in my practice in certain cases to help arrive at more ideal endodontic diagnoses. Because I can see things like severe bone loss much better in a CBCT image than I could on a periapical radiograph, I can better assess a tooth's salvageability, avoiding unnecessary referrals, or worse, referrals for treatments that may have poor long-term prognoses.