Endodontic management of badly broken down teeth using the canal projection system: two case reports

Teeth that have been weakened by caries and require root canal treatment to maintain their functional integrity may present with minimal coronal tooth structure and are a challenge for isolation and restoration. The aim of this clinical report is to demonstrate the management of badly broken down teeth using the Projector Endodontic Instrument Guidance System (PEIGS).

The PEIGS is an adjunct to root canal treatment designed to enhance the ease of treatment delivery. Use of this system facilitates projection of canal orifices from the floor of the pulp chamber to the cavosurface, providing direct visualization of and physical access to the projected canals. This report demonstrates the use of this novel device for the management of two badly broken down teeth.

Use of the endodontic projection system has the following advantages: * 'Projects' the canal orifice from the floor of the pulp chamber to the cavosurface, thereby enhancing visualization and access to the canals. * The bonded coronal build up reduces the risk of interappointment crack initiation and coronal-radicular fracture of weakened tooth structure. * Permits individualization of canals especially when they lie in close proximity to each other on the chamber floor. * Isolation may be facilitated by ease of clamp retention, rendering many structurally debilitated teeth endodontically treatable.