21st century endodontics. Part 2

The first paper in this series considered the subject of diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with endodontic problems. One of the factors to be taken into consideration when deciding whether or not to prescribe root canal treatment is the morphology of the root canal system of the root in question. Some information may be gleaned from the pre-operative radiograph, but much will be part of the practitioner's own knowledge. An understanding of the root canal morphology is also essential when cutting efficient and effective access cavities, remembering the endodontic cliché that 'access is success'. This paper will review canal morphology and access cavities, and then consider how teeth under treatment may be isolated from the oral environment to maintain a sterile operating environment.