Technology

All of the files used by The Endodontic Clinic have been carefully selected for their reliability and high-quality. We only use the best, as this helps us to increase the predictability of treatment results. They give us consistency in the root canal therapy process and control over the different aspects that influence root canal therapy.

All of our root canal treatments are performed with Nickel-Titanium file systems that have been metallurgically enhanced through heat treatment technology. For each patient, we select the file system that is best suited to the anatomical dimensions of the tooth, and we have three industry-leading brands to choose from.

As every root treatment is unique, part of the planning process involves the endodontic clinician making key decisions about the choice of files well in advance of the procedure.

Root canal treatments are among the most difficult procedures carried out in general dental practice, and we are very lucky to have access to the latest technology to take on the most complex root canal treatment cases. Through the use of the Warm Vertical Condensation technique and the Vertical Hydraulic Condensation technique, we can ensure that the most challenging root canal anatomies are filled without leaving any voids for bacteria to get back into the canals. Once the area is thoroughly cleansed, we can begin sealing the affected area.

At The Endodontic Clinic, we have banned conventional Epoxy-resin based sealers which were known to shrink and create tiny spaces between the root fill material and the canal walls. The bioceramic sealers used by The Endodontic Clinic: - Do not shrink – instead they expand by 0.2% - Are highly biocompatible (friendly to the body) - Produce hydroxyapatite (a natural mineral present in dentin and enamel) - Are highly antimicrobial - Create a chemical bond with the tooth and provide a seamless seal

The materials we use are designed to last a lifetime: this helps us to greatly reduce the risk of re-infection and the need for retreatments or tooth extractions.

At The Endodontic Clinic, we use sonic and ultrasonic devices to activate the disinfecting solution which is added to the tooth during root canal therapy. The tips of these highly-specialised devices (which differ considerably from at-home versions) vibrate at speeds of 360,000 oscillations per minute. The result is a three-dimensional movement that triggers cavitation – a process by which bubbles formed from the action of the polyamide tip become unstable, collapse, and cause a vacuum-like ‘implosion.’ This creates a micro cyclone inside the root canal, and thanks to this incredible technological advancement we can now clean canals with much higher levels of accuracy than ever before.

It is often said in medicine that if you cannot see it, you cannot treat it. We can find root canals narrower than a human hair with our advanced magnification systems – and that means we can treat them, too. At The Endodontic Clinic, we use both dental loupe and microscope magnification. Orascoptic loupes are the leading source of magnification for endodontic practitioners: the XV1 model that we use has the option of x3, x4 and x5 magnification and its Konica lens provides crystal clear vision that makes it well-suited to root canal treatments, crown preparation and endodontic diagnostics.

Our preferred microscope is the extremely sophisticated Carl Zeiss microscope – widely recognised as the finest instrument of its type and very much a key component in the treatments that we undertake at The Endodontic Clinic. The same microscope is also used in micro-vascular and neurosurgery, and without it, complex root canal treatment delivered at the highest levels would not be possible. The intensity of its Xenon light is brighter than looking into the sun. The right combination of loupes and the endodontic microscope gives us the ability to refine the level of precision involved in the ever demanding and technical field of root canal therapy, and deliver world-class results.

Pulp cells – soft tissue comprised of blood vessels, neural fibers and connective tissue in the root of the tooth – continue to create dentin (the fabric of the tooth beneath the exterior enamel) over time. In some cases, this can result in root canals becoming constricted. When this happens, a revolutionary new technique can be used to locate the most inaccessible canals and treat them. Canals that open up in the deepest sections of the root canal system can be located using a computer-guided root canal therapy process which makes it possible to view the overall anatomy of the jaw, teeth, root canal system and surrounding tissues. This helps us to know exactly where the root canals are located before starting treatment.

The step-by-step process of root canal therapy using the computer-guided workflow is as follows:

• Overall scan of the jaw area: with the help of the most sophisticated CBCT scanner, we are able to generate an accurate three-dimensional image of the jaw area including the exact teeth positions, dental restorations, shape and location of the root canal system, bone quality and quantity, nerve tissues and any sinus cavities.
• Creation of 3D model: once we have this detailed information, with the help of highly specialised software we are able to create a 3D model of the jaw so we can ‘virtually’ gain access to the root canal system through the optimum pathway.
• Drilling guide is prepared: The 3D model showing the virtual placement and correct angulation of the drill is then sent to a specialised laboratory to prepare the precise drilling guide using 3D printing. This is then used during the root canal treatment.