Guided Endodontics as a Minimally Invasive Approach for Calcified Root Canal Management: A Case Report

TL;DR

This case report shows how guided endodontics using 3D printing and CBCT imaging can effectively treat calcified root canals with minimal damage.

Contribution

The paper introduces a minimally invasive guided endodontic approach for calcified canals using digital planning and 3D-printed guides.

Findings

A 3D-printed guide enabled successful canal access and treatment without structural compromise.

CBCT imaging accurately identified the calcified canal pathway for precise instrumentation.

The method preserved tooth structure and achieved favorable clinical outcomes.

Abstract

Calcified root canals present a significant clinical challenge due to reduced canal visibility, increased risk of iatrogenic damage, and limited access to the apical third. Conventional methods often compromise tooth structure while attempting to locate the obliterated canals. Guided endodontics, integrating cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and three-dimensional (3D) printing, offers a minimally invasive and precise alternative for managing such cases. This case report describes the endodontic management of a tooth with severe pulp canal obliteration using a digitally planned and 3D-printed guide to facilitate canal localization and instrumentation. A CBCT scan was used to identify the remaining canal pathway, and a customized access guide was fabricated to ensure conservative preparation and accurate entry. Treatment resulted in successful canal negotiation, cleaning, shaping, and obturation without procedural complications. This case highlights the clinical efficacy of guided endodontics in overcoming anatomical challenges, preserving tooth structure, and improving treatment outcomes in calcified root canal cases.

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