Access cavity preparation, working length determination
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics · Dental (BDS)
Study notes
Why must root canal instruments stop at the apical constriction, not push beyond the root tip? The apical constriction — the canal's narrowest point just short of the tip — is the natural barrier. Stopping here cleans the entire infected canal while preserving the periapical tissues. Pushing beyond injures bone and ligament, extrudes debris and filling material, causing pain and delayed healing. Students learn: respect the constriction; the X-ray plus apex locator pinpoints it.
Related topics
- Dental caries: diagnosis, caries risk assessment, minimal intervention
- Cavity preparation: principles, Black's classification
- Amalgam restorations: indications, technique
- Composite restorations: anterior and posterior, layering
- Glass ionomer and compomer restorations
- Pulp biology: diagnosis of pulp and periapical diseases