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An Endodontists Journey from Gutta Percha to Titanium
You may have heard the expressions, “if you have a hammer everything looks like a nail,” or “if you have a screwdriver everything looks like a screw.” As an Endodontist I believe that with proper case selection the success of a root canal and root canal retreatment is just as high as dental implants. Having said that however, an endodontist having experience in both implants and root canal treatment can give the patient choices with less bias to save or remove their natural teeth. In cases where a root canal could not be completed due to fracture or non-restorability, the patient is left with an “incomplete endo” (code #3332) and the same bad tooth. Deciding if a tooth is fractured and transitioning to extraction with graft or immediate implant can save the patient substantial time and money and is often favored by the referring doctor. Although endodontists can extract, graft and place dental implants, most still do not because of the significant investment required in continuing education and advanced technology. At Advanced Endodontic Solutions, we continue to make those investments to serve our referring doctors and their patients.
Continuing education
I began my implant training by taking hands-on courses on cadavers in the anatomy lab at the University of Maryland. Later I traveled with a group of local general dentists to study at the Misch International Implant Institute. There under the watchful eyes of Carl Misch and Randy Resnik, the founders of the institute and authors of best-selling book, “Contemporary Implant Dentistry”, I gained valuable experience placing implants and performing sinus surgery on live patients I have had the privilege of going through the Misch Institute course series multiple times. In addition I have attended several live training programs at Temple University Periodontal Department and completed several mini residencies in Mexico and the Dominican Republic with Dr. Mohamed Shirarwy, the Director of Oral surgery and Anatomical science at the Dental College of Georgia. I have also participated in surgical anatomy dissections on cadaver specimens with Dr. Sharawy teaching surgical anatomy and bone biology.
Dr. Lepore graduates and receives Implant Surgery Certificate from Carl Misch and Randy Resnik as well as an Implant Prosthetic Achievement Certificate.
Dr. Lepore with mentor and surgeon Dr. M Sharawy
Dr Lepore has studied with Drs. Misch, Resnik and Sharawy, three experts who literally wrote the book on implant procedures.
Advanced technology
Cone Beam Computed Technology
It has become the standard of care in implant dentistry and in endodontics to employ CBCT technology for more accurate diagnosis and treatment. Although the principles of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) should always be adhered to, the value of CBCT scanning greatly outweighs the risks. CBCT cone beam technology has very low exposure compared to other similar medical radiography. Limited field of view (FOV) and medium FOV can be selected on modern cone beam machines to tailor your care to the specific needs of the patient. CBCT does not yet replace 2D digital radiographs for routine care. The Joint Position statement of the AAE and AAOMR provides recommendations for the use of Cone Beam computed Tomography in Endodontics. CBCT scanning systems integrate CAD CAM technology, optical scanners and digital printing for fabrication of surgical guides.
The MB2 or ML canal is visualized with the 3D rendering of the CBCT scan.
The MB2 or ML canal is visualized with the 3D rendering of the CBCT scan.
The MB2 or ML canal visualized with high power through the Zeis endodontic microscope
Endodontic Surgical Operating Microscope
Although the endodontic microscope is a huge advantage in the treatment of the root canal system with illumination and magnification, it can be used for grafting and implant surgery as well. Extracting teeth and curetting the surgical site is aided with the operating microscope as well as micro suturing techniques. Digital photography and video monitoring can be achieved through the surgical microscope.
IV sedation
Surgery often requires sedation. At Advanced Endodontic Solutions we are licensed in IV sedation and oral sedation. We have completed the DOCS sequence of courses, attend didactic courses at ADSA every year with SIM man emergency scenarios, trained at Montifiore Oral Surgery Department in IV sedation and trained with dental anesthesiologists in advanced IV sedation and airway management. We have also been trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and basic life support training.
Advanced endodontic procedure with IV sedation.
SIMM Mann emergency training at ADSA in Las Vegas
Endodontists as referring doctors
Endodontists do not replace periodontists or oral surgeons. We refer many cases to oral surgery, periodontists and implantologists for a team approach to dentistry. If asked not to place the implant we are happy to provide expertise and support to referring doctors.
Conclusions
Endodontists who place dental implants will find it is not just one area of study. The endodontist should have a strong understanding of many areas such as: CBCT, sinus anatomy, surgical anatomy, implant prosthetics, guided surgery, intra oral scanners, basic hard and soft tissue grafting, atraumatic extraction with graft, piezo surgery, guided tissue regeneration, block grafting, ridge expansion, bone biology, dental emergencies and sedation. He/she should receive regular implant journals and attend implant seminars. The endodontist must have relationships with oral surgeons, periodontists, implantologists, oral radiologists and ENT physicians. At advanced endodontic solutions we take pride in meeting these criterion for the past ten years of implant surgery practice. Hopefully, this newsletter has provided an understanding of the continuing journey and study of dental implant surgery.
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