Minimally invasive access cavity in premolars and molars – review

Abstract

There is an increasing number of case presentations in the social media and scientific forums, in which dentists and
endodontists perform successful root canal treatments through tiny access cavities. This technical achievement cannot
be carried out without proper instruments, magnification (operating microscope) and lighting. With a minimally invasive
access cavity the root canal treatment itself can be complicated and time-consuming. In case of a tooth with complex
anatomy the use of this method is limited. On the other hand, in simpler cases, if debris is eliminated and the pulp cavity
is disinfected properly, it can be a real alternative for traditional access cavities. It enables us to preserve more coronal
tooth structure, which makes final restoration easier to do, but the increase in fracture resistance has not been proved
yet in vitro.