Endodontics: Rotary Instruments, Luxation, and MTA

Endodontic Materials and Procedures

Rotary Instruments: Protaper, K3, and G Pack

  • Protaper: SX D0=0.19mm Taper=3.5-19%
  • S1: D0=0.17mm Taper=2-11%
  • S2: D0=0.20mm Taper=4-11.5%
  • F1: D0=0.20mm D0-D3=7%
  • F2: D0=0.25mm D0-D3=8%
  • F3: D0=0.30 D0-D3=9%
  • K3 (2002-McSpadden): Sizes:
  • 0.02 taper: #15-45
  • 0.04, 0.06: #15-60
  • Lengths: 21, 25, 30 mm

Body Shapers

  • Tapers: 0.08, 0.10, 0.12
  • Tip: #25
  • Length: 17, 21, 25mm

G Pack

Design features: Positive rake angle, 3 radial lands, relief on 2, Asymmetrically placed lands, unequal land width, Asymmetric flute depth, width

Ni-Ti Rotary Instruments

Advantages:

  • Gradually evenly tapered radicular preparation
  • Few instruments required
  • Less time
  • Use in a handpiece allows better vision
  • Less debris extrusion

Disadvantages:

  • Narrow canals difficult – instrument fracture
  • Fracture occurs without signs
  • Expensive
  • Dulls quickly

Luxation Injuries

Involves trauma to the supporting tissues of the tooth.

Luxation injuries in increasing order of severity:

Concussion

A minor injury to the periodontal tissue without malposition or mobility of the teeth.

Mechanism:

A frontal impact leads to hemorrhage and edema in the periodontal ligament.

Treatment:
  • Relief of occlusal interferences
  • Recommendation of soft diet for two weeks
  • Monitor pulp response periodically

Subluxation

Results from slight injury to the periodontal tissue with a slight increase in mobility.

Mechanism:

If the impact has greater force, the periodontal ligament fibers may be torn, resulting in loosening of the injured teeth.

Pathogenesis:

Oblique forces displace the tooth out of its socket.

Treatment:

Consists of atraumatic repositioning and fixation.

Extrusive Luxation

Lateral Luxation

An injury involving displacement labially, lingually, distally, or incisally.

Pathogenesis:

Horizontal forces displace the crown palatally and apex labially.

Clinical Features:

Lateral displacement of tooth, sulcular bleeding, sensitivity to percussion.

Treatment:

Local anesthetic administered. Tooth repositioned.

Intrusive Luxation

An injury involving displacement in an apical direction into the alveolus.

Diagnosis and Clinical Presentation:

Tooth pushed into the socket, gives metallic sound to percussion test, infra occlusion.

Treatment:

Depends entirely upon the stage of root development.

Fiber Reinforced Posts

Advantages:

  • Esthetics
  • Biocompatible
  • A cementing procedure that is light, dual, or self-curing can be used
  • Higher bond strength
  • Metal-free, which does not break down cement
  • Higher bond strength of the core material buildup due to similar chemical composition
  • Dentin bonding
  • Easy removal
  • High tensile strength
  • High fatigue strength

Disadvantages:

  • Micro leakage
  • Less strength
  • Color of the carbon creates esthetic problems
  • Less stiffness

Indications:

  • Minimum tooth structure missing
  • Uncertain endodontic prognosis of the tooth

Contraindications:

  • Tooth under lateral load

Ceramic Posts

Advantages:

  • Esthetics
  • Good stiffness
  • Biocompatible

Disadvantages:

  • Uncertain clinical performance
  • Difficult to use
  • Lack of retention
  • Expensive

Rotation vs. Reciprocation in Endodontics

Rotation Advantages:

  • Greater tactile touch and efficiency gained
  • Requires less inward pressure
  • Improves hauling capacity of debris

Rotation Disadvantages:

  • Risks associated with torque and cyclic fatigue failures

Reciprocation Advantages:

  • Mimics manual movement
  • Reduces various risks

Reciprocation Disadvantages:

  • Requires multifile sequences
  • Decreased cutting efficiency
  • More required inward pressure
  • Limited capacity to debride canals

Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA)

Advantages:

  • High biocompatibility
  • Hydrophilic
  • Radio-opaque
  • Highly alkaline pH (Bacteriostatic)
  • Excellent sealing ability

Disadvantages:

  • Difficult manipulation
  • High cost
  • Irreversible application

Analgesics in Dentistry

Opioid Analgesics:

  • Act centrally
  • Cause addiction
  • Produce CNS depression
  • Do not produce gastric irritation

Non-Opioid Analgesics:

  • Act peripherally
  • Do not cause addiction
  • No CNS depression
  • Produce gastric irritation

Adverse Effects Shared by N-NSAIDs:

  • GIT upsets (nausea, vomiting)
  • GIT bleeding & ulceration
  • Bleeding
  • Hypersensitivity reaction
  • Inhibition of uterine contraction

Adverse Effects of Opioids:

  • Sedation
  • Respiratory depression
  • Dependence
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness

Pulp Regeneration

Advantages:

  • Apex is not fully developed (blunderbuss shape)

Disadvantages:

  • Cleaning and shaping of the apical portion of the root canal system can be difficult
  • Complicated by the presence of thin, fragile dentinal walls
  • Open apex increases the risk of extruding material into the periradicular tissues