Revolutionary Root Canal Treatment
The difficult and often unpredictable task of performing root canal treatment with hand instruments is being replaced with motorized LSX® nickel-titanium instruments (Fig. 1). These instruments were specifically developed for the veterinary dentist to use when treating canine and feline patients and they have enhanced the efficiency and effectiveness of root canal treatment.
Fig1
Because LSX instruments are engine driven and operate at 2500 RPM they work faster and are more efficient in cleaning and shaping the canal walls. The non-tapered round canal shape created by the instrument conserves dentin while creating a larger apical preparation that is more conducive to irrigation and disinfection of the canal. Chemical irrigation and disinfection of the root canal is accomplished using alternating solutions of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite or chlorihexidine solution. Canal irrigation can be aided by vacuum (suction) to remove the canal debris with the irrigation solutions.
After instrumentation and disinfection, the canal is filled with a sterile material. Most canal filling materials contain Gutta Percha (GP) a rubber-like product. GP Apical Plugs® (Fig. 2) match the LSX instrument sizes and when used with the recommended sealer they provide a more predictable fill and seal at the apical termination of the root canal (Fig. 3). The remainder of the canal can be filled with the operator’s choice of sealers and GP material. A restorative product is then used to seal the coronal access to the root canal.
Fig2
Fig3
Dental radiographs are an integral part of root canal treatment and they are used throughout root canal treatment to verify canal length as well as instrumentation. Radiographs taken at completion are used to verify root canal fill (Fig. 4) and for future use when verifying success of root canal treatment.
Fig4
