Minimally Invasive Endodontics

With regards to endodontic procedures, it can range anywhere from diagnosis to making a decision not to treat, to a minimally but purposefully crafted access openings based on anatomical challenges, to minimal removal of dentin during access opening, enlarging and shaping of the root canal to retain as much sound dentin as possible, to retention of tooth structure during disassembly and retreatment or considering apical surgical intervention, to performing a crown lengthening procedure to establish sound tooth margins for core/crown restorations as opposed to tooth extraction and implant or bridge placement. To be more specific with regards to endodontics and root canal procedures the following bulleted items are put forth to capture the essence of what is needed to be achieved within the scope of minimally invasive endodontics (MIE) if this is to be the future of dental practice.