BDS INSIGHTS by Dr Manish Khazane

During patient treatment, the clinician needs to consider many factors that will affect the ultimate outcome. In simple terms, these factors can be grouped into 3 categories: (I) operator needs, (II) restoration needs, (III) the tooth needs. (I)The operator needs are the conditions the clinician needs to treat the tooth. (II) The restoration needs are the prep dimensions and tooth conditions for optimal strength and longevity. (III)The tooth needs are the biologic and structural limitations for a treated tooth to remain predictably functional. The Cala Lilly is a flower and is the new model for composite preparations. SOURCE: Modern Molar Endodontic Access and Directed Dentin Conservation, David Clark et al,2010

Same Tooth, Very Different Images. Taking an Additional Radiograph Provides A Whole Lot More Information A simple way to improve your endodontics is to simply take two radiographs where you might previously take one. I routinely take two radiographs with differing horizontal angulations when treating potentially multi-rooted teeth (basically everything apart from maxillary incisors) unless there is a reason not to. When dealing with root canal anatomy we’re dealing with a very three dimensional issue, yet a lot of what we plan and assess our treatment on is two dimensionally based. There are so many reasons to take additional views, and in the long run it can make your life easier and improve your endodontics. The process of taking an additional radiograph adds 30 seconds or less to the radiograph time. You already have the rubber dam folded back and the x-ray tube in place. Developing two radiographs instead of one does not take any longer (especially with digital). More...