Three-dimensional inlay-guided endodontics applied in variant root canals: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND: Root canal retreatment is common after root canal therapy in clinical situations. Especially, completing the retreatment of variant root canals can be challenging. This is particularly true for the molars located at the end of the dental arch. However, advancements in digital dental diagnosis and treatment techniques can solve these problems. Here, we describe a case of a maxillary second molar with a variant distobuccal root canal treated via a novel “inlay-guided endodontics” technique based on improved computer-generated programs. CASE SUMMARY: A 63-year-old man complained of a defect in the maxillary left second molar. The tooth, diagnosed with post-treatment endodontic disease, was initially treated by conventional methods, which were ineffective. Our “inlay-guided endodontics” technique was subsequently adopted, with the establishment of a precise integrated three-dimensional (3D) plate model of cone-beam computed tomography data and a digital impression of the dentition. An optimal root canal approach was generated for the “virtual file” in the 3D model. The plate data were imported into a 3D printer and printed. With the help of the guide plate, the file was accurately placed into the cervical third of the distal root canal. The root canal and prosthodontic treatments successfully proceeded subsequently. CONCLUSION: Our newly developed inlay guide plates may facilitate individualized and minimally invasive root canal treatment.