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Updated: Oct 28, 2025
Dynamic Navigation in Endodontics: Guided Access Cavity Preparation by Means of a Miniaturized Navigation System
Published on: May 5, 2022
Accuracy and Efficiency of 3-dimensional Dynamic Navigation System for Removal of Fiber Post from Root Canal-Treated
Anmar Janabi1, Patricia A Tordik1, Ina L Griffin1
1Division of Endodontics, Department of Advanced Oral Sciences and Therapeutics, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland.
Introduction:
The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy and efficiency of the 3-dimensional dynamic navigation system (DNS) compared with the freehand technique (FH) when removing fiber posts from root canal-treated teeth.
Methods:
Twenty-six maxillary teeth were included. Teeth were root canal treated and restored with Parapost Taper Lux (Coltene/Whaledent, Altstätten, Switzerland) luted with RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE, St Paul, MN). A core buildup was then performed using Paracore (Coltene/Whaledent). Teeth were mounted in tissue-denuded cadaver maxillae. Teeth were divided into 2 groups: the DNS group (n = 13) and the FH group (n = 13). Cone-beam computed tomographic scans were taken pre- and postoperatively. The drilling path and depth were planned virtually using X-guide software (X-Nav Technologies, Lansdale, PA) in both groups. For the DNS group, drilling was guided with X-Nav software and the FH group under a dental operating microscope. Global coronal and apical deviations, angular deflection, operation time, and the number of mishaps were compared between the groups to determine the accuracy and efficiency. The 3-dimensional volume (mm3) of all teeth was calculated before and after post removal using the Mimics Innovation Suite (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium). The Shapiro-Wilk, 1-way analysis of variance, and Fisher exact tests were used (P < .05).
Results:
The DNS group showed significantly less global coronal and apical deviations and angular deflection than the FH group (P < .05). DNS required less operation time than FH. Moreover, the DNS technique had significantly less volumetric loss of tooth structure than the FH technique (P < .05).
Conclusions:
The DNS was more accurate and efficient in removing fiber posts from root canal-treated teeth than the FH technique.
