This review article discusses various procedures that can be incorporated at each step of endodontics to achieve minimal intervention, which is the goal of the new-age endodontics.
The concept of Minimally invasive endodontics (MIE) involves preservation of maximum healthy coronal, cervical as well as radicular tooth structure during endodontic procedures.
MIE can be incorporated in various phases of endodontic treatment, namely access opening, cleaning and shaping of the root canal and surgical endodontics.
In the field of cariology there has been tremendous advancement over the past 30 years.
Most of these advancements are based on scientific knowledge involving prevention and treatment using minimally invasive approaches.
This ‘rational’ model of care is known as minimal intervention dentistry.
During early times, surgical model dominated dentistry.
But, with inventions of etching and adhesion lead to the era of minimally invasive preparations.
Need for Minimally Invasive Endodontics
The structural integrity of the remaining tooth plays the key role in determining prognosis of the tooth after restoration.
Various studies have shown that the dentin properties of endodontically treated teeth do not differ from vital dentin.
So, the predominant reason for failure of endodontically treated teeth can be attributed to the increased susceptibility to fracture due to loss of structure.
This makes the concept of minimal intervention highly significant in the field of endodontics.
