Lesson 4: Access cavities

Access cavities: Modern concepts and strategic planning for successful endodontics

Overview

This video presents a modern approach to access cavities in endodontics, emphasising dynamic, patient centred planning. It explores key concepts, strategic considerations, and practical techniques to achieve predictable endodontic outcomes, acknowledging that “one size fits one”.

Key topics covered

• Legacy concepts vs. modern concepts of the access cavity
• Importance of seeing the end result; restorability, and not rushing to pick up instruments
• Strategic approach to access cavities and taking into consideration the patient themselves
• Restoration removal
• Using straight line access from orifice projection: the "beam of light concept"
• Balancing efficient access with minimising tooth structure removal
• Armamentarium for access cavities
• Safe use of ultrasonic tips for controlled access cavity refinement
• Role of the mouth opening, and tooth angulation, affecting patient treatment and tolerance

Clinical relevance

This video is crucial for dentists seeking to modernise their endodontic access cavity preparation techniques. It bridges the gap between traditional methods and current evidence-based practices, helping clinicians achieve efficient and predictable outcomes.

Learning outcomes

After watching this video, dentists will be able to:

• Explain the evolution of thought process, and the legacy concepts, and how access cavities were originally thought
• Adapt access cavity designs, thinking about long term benefits for success, with different cases and clinical situations
• Outline techniques for efficient restoration removal
• Utilise appropriate instrumentation for safe and precise access cavity preparation
• Consider the need to adapt based on patient factors, time and access