What Are the Alternatives to a Root Canal?

The root canal therapy instrument, also called root canal motor, is a precision electronic instrument designed to reduce the doctor's work intensity, replace manual enlargement of the root canal, improve efficiency and save time, and prepare a more standard root canal.

The root canal therapy instrument, also called root canal motor, is a precision electronic instrument designed to reduce the doctor's work intensity, replace manual enlargement of the root canal, improve efficiency and save time, and prepare a more standard root canal.

Chinese name

Root canal treatment instrument

Foreign name

Root Canal Apex Locator

Alias

Root canal motor

Primary product category

Oral treatment equipment

Management category

Class II medical devices

Basic composition of root canal therapy instrument

Dental root canal therapy instrument is a dental medical device, which consists of two parts: an irrigation device and a suction device ^[1] . The flushing device makes the pressure air enter the flushing head through a pump, an air tank, and a flow regulating valve. The suction device extracts the necrotic tissue in the root canal through a filter, a vacuum, a shut-off valve, an exhaust valve, a flow regulating valve, and a suction head. The suction head is a key component of the instrument. It consists of an elastic contact, a stainless steel needle tube and a handle. The elastic contact can be made into a wedge shape. The instrument combines irrigation and suction, which can safely and quickly extract the necrotic material in the root canal of the tooth, so that the tooth can be treated smoothly.

Use of root canal therapy instrument

Enlarge to form the root canal in preparation for filling . ^[2]

Root canal treatment instrument classification

According to the working principle of the root canal treatment instrument, it can be divided into: ultrasonic root canal treatment instrument and microscope root canal treatment instrument.

Ultrasonic root canal therapy instrument

Ultrasound root canal therapy instrument

The ultrasonic root canal therapy instrument is composed of an ultrasonic emission system and an irrigation system. It has two chemical and mechanical cleaning methods. Through the "cavitation" effect of ultrasonic waves, the antibacterial effect of the irrigation solution can be greatly enhanced, and the necrosis in the root canal can be greatly enhanced. Tissue and toxins are flushed out. Its working principle is to use an ultrasonic transmission system to vibrate the enlarged needle (as shown in the figure) three-dimensionally, and add a liquid injection system to prepare the root canal.

Enlarge needle

The advantages of the ultrasonic root canal therapy instrument are: ultrasonic technology has biological effects, mechanical effects, thermal effects, and cavitation that combines the three effects described above, and can effectively kill various bacteria in the root canal. Ultrasonic root canal preparation has good continuous irrigation, which can timely remove the necrotic tissue debris in the root canal, effectively reduce the amount of bacteria in the root canal, and avoid the piston effect of the instrument in the infected root canal. It is difficult for the infected material in the root canal to exceed the apical foramen. Due to the vibration of the ultrasonic file itself, it is more labor-saving than twisting and pulling with your fingers. Only the lifting movement is required, and the rotating movement is not necessary, so the rate of accidents such as the breakage rate of the instrument and accidental swallowing of the instrument in the patient's mouth is greatly reduced. Thanks to the liquid spraying device, there is no need to stop for flushing, saving operation time. ^[3]

2. Microscope root canal therapy instrument

Microscope root canal therapy instrument is a combination of microscope technology and medical technology. It can clearly observe the anatomical structure and root canal shape of teeth. Whether it is conventional root canal therapy or apical microsurgery, doctors can protect the normal tissues of patients, thereby improving the success rate of treatment, shortening the healing time and reducing pain. The postoperative wound is smaller. ^[4]

Microscope root canal treatment instrument

Root Canal Therapy Features

1. Built-in rechargeable battery, easy to operate. Battery power display (displays the power of the built-in battery, flashes when charging), torque display (displays the torque when the electric motor is working), and speed display (100 ~ 625r / min). Each speed increases or decreases by 25r / min.

2. This machine has multiple memory functions, doctors can set different torque and speed according to different models of enlarged needles for easy operation.

3. In the process of expanding the root canal, after the torque of the enlarged needle exceeds the set value, in order to prevent side penetration and needle breakage, the electric motor will automatically reverse, and the doctor can also adjust the manual turning of the machine according to the actual situation.

4. The machine adopts a large LCD screen display, which can intuitively see the operation of the machine on the screen.

5. In order to reduce the financial burden of doctors and better disinfection, choose a 1: 1 low-speed bender head.

Precautions for using the root canal therapy instrument

1. Control the torque and speed, it is best to set the torque control motor and the speed that matches it. Following the torque recommended by the needle manufacturer, speed is especially important for treatment safety.

2. Measure the length of the instrument before each time it enters the root canal. Long instruments increase the risk of twisting and breaking. Equipped with root canal length measuring instrument, caliper, etc. for working length measurement.

3. Proper operation is important: do not apply pressure or force to the tip. The instrument should not stay in the root canal for too long.

4. The fracture of the device mostly occurs in molars, especially in small and narrow root canals such as the upper and lower mandibular molars, and special care should be taken before treatment.

5. Curved root canals, re-treatment and calcified root canals require special equipment and techniques. It is best to use a new enlarged needle.

6. Establish a straight path, keep the root canal open, and pay attention to gestures during operation. Try to ensure that the enlarged needle and root canal path are in line to reduce the bending resistance of the enlarged needle in the crown and the stress on the instrument.

7. The root canal should be kept fully lubricated and flushed with each preparation.

8. Because the interior of the root canal is narrow, do not put pressure on the enlarged needle with your hand during operation. You should completely rely on the strength of the machine and the sharp edge of the enlarged needle to complete the cutting.

9. In the case of inexperience, it is safest to use the recommended minimum torque. Generally speaking, lower speeds will extend the clinical life of the device and reduce the chance of breakage.

10. Use a widening needle, and control the number of times when using it: When using it, you should observe more if there is drawing or deformation. If you find it, you must discard it in time, otherwise you will not regret it.

11. It is best to record the number of uses after each use to prevent fatigue of the instrument; the debris of the enlarged needle blade should be cleaned repeatedly and timely, and equipped with a cleaning table. ^[5]