Endo Tribune Asia Pacific No. 1, 2015Endo Tribune Asia Pacific No. 1, 2015Endo Tribune Asia Pacific No. 1, 2015

Endo Tribune Asia Pacific No. 1, 2015

The significance of radiographs in endodontic therapy / “Our aim is to be a leading provider of evidence-based endodontic CE” / Endo Products / Endodontic treatment in the future will be simpler and standardised

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Untitled





ENDO TRIBUNE
The World’s Endodontic Newspaper · Asia Pacific Edition
PUBLISHED IN HONG KONG

www.dental-tribune.asia

Endo Congress
Dr Ibrahim Abu Tahun
about APEC 2015

NO. 3 VOL. 13

Endo Products
What leading providers
have to offer

Page 20

Endo Business
An interview with
MICRO-MEGA reps

Page 21

Page 22

The significance of radiographs
in endodontic therapy

Dr Safura Baharin
Malaysia

The success of any endodontic
therapy depends on adequate

Types
Intraoral

Extraoral

chemical and mechanical debridement of the infected root
canal. This requires basic
knowledge of the canal anatomy and the ability to identify

Advantages

Disadvantages

Conventional
periapical

• Cheap
• Widely used
• Low radiation dose
• Available
in most dental clinics
• Reduced chairside time owing to mobile use

• Sensitive technique
• Superimposition of
anatomical structures
• 2-D image
• Requires good
operator skills
• Requires high patient
tolerance
• No image modification

Digital
periapical

• Allows image
enhancement/modification
(contrast, brightness,
texture, size)
• Low radiation dose
• Immediate image display
(no image processing)
• Use of a mobile machine
is possible; therefore,
the patient does not have
to move around
for the radiograph
• Eliminates a film
processing procedure;
thus, processing error
can be avoided

• Small image area
(difficult to capture area
of interest accurately)
• Possible image
enlargement
• Difficult initial learning
process concerning
the manipulation
of the digital software

Dental
panoramic
tomogram

• Complete view of the entire
dentition

• 2-D image
• Requires larger office
space for the machine
• Image may not be clear
enough in certain
areas, particularly
in the anterior

CBCT

• 3-D image
• Image enhancement
• Image can
be modified
• Thorough assessment
of tooth

• High radiation dose
• Expensive
• Not readily available
• Requires skill to
interpret the image
• Requires larger office
space for the machine

Table 2: Types of radiographs and their advantages and disadvantages.

Factors

Rationale

• Angulation of the central beam

• Affects the position and size of the object

• Exposure time

• Affects the diagnostic quality of the radiograph

• Receptor sensitivity

• Affects the diagnostic quality of the radiograph

• Processing procedure

• Affects the diagnostic quality of the radiograph

• Viewing conditions

• Important for identifying normal anatomical
structures and presence of pathology

• Clinical experience of the observer

• An observer with more experience analysing
radiographs may be able to detect the presence
of pathology better.

• Superimposition of anatomic structures

• Affects the diagnostic quality of the radiograph

• Position of the tooth in the jaw

• Superimposition of anatomical structures, density of
surrounding bone, single- vs. multiple-rooted teeth

• Location of the lesion

• May be superimposed with anatomical structures, such
as the mental foramen, maxillary sinus or nasal sinus

any aberration in it. Studies
have shown that micro-organisms in the root canal system
reside in the main canal, the
canal’s ramification, the accessory or lateral root canal,
and even the dentinal tubules.
Therefore, optimal debridement can only be achieved if the
clinician is able to identify the
presence of additional canals
prior to or during treatment
(Table 1).
Currently, the only method
available to assess the root, the
root canal anatomy and its periradicular area preoperatively
is through dental radiographs.
Whether radiographs are performed intra-orally (periapical)
or extra-orally (dental panoramic
tomogram or cone beam computed tomography, CBCT), fractures,
resorptive defects or procedural
errors can also be identified this
way. Thorough examination of
radiographs is important, as it
can provide an indication of the
complexity of the treatment, including anticipated difficulties
(Table 2).
The use of CBCT has been
widely explored and its advantages are well documented.1, 2
While its benefits for diagnosis in
endodontic treatment cannot be
! ET page 18

Table 1: Factors and rationales when using a 2-D radiograph for diagnostic purposes.8
AD

The 10th World Endodontic Congress

IFEA

International Federation of Endodontic Associations

Endodontic Excellence at the Apex of Africa

2016
Cape Town, South Africa


[2] => Untitled
ENDO TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition No. 3/2015

18 Trends & Applications

1

2

3

4

Fig. 1: Presence of birooted mandibular premolar.—Fig. 2: Separated instrument in lower incisor.—Fig. 3: Inadequate root canal filling on lower left molar.—Fig. 4: Measuring the depth of pulp chamber
during cavity access preparation.
ET page 17

disputed, the American Association of Endodontists and the
American Academy of Oral and
Maxillofacial Radiology jointly
published a statement in 2011 in
which they stated that limited
volume should be preferred over
large volume and that this imaging technique should not be used
routinely for endodontic diagnosis or for screening purposes.
Furthermore, the clinician must
justify that the use of CBCT will be
of benefit to the patient and that
its use outweighs the potential
risks.3

Intra-oral radiographs, such
as conventional and digital periapical radiographs, are still routinely used as one of the important investigative tools during
endodontic examination and the
diagnosis stage. Even though it
has a few limitations, an appropriately taken and processed periapical radiograph can still provide enough information and
evidence to aid in diagnosis. An
acceptable periapical radiograph
must have adequate contrast and
no or minimal processing error
and include at least 3 mm of the
surrounding periapical area to
allow accurate assessment of the

tooth of interest and its surrounding area. Additional periapical
radiographs at different angulations (10–30 degrees horizontally
or vertically) could be taken to
determine the location of a periradicular lesion or any resorptive
defect present on the root and its
surface (internal or external).4–6
An earlier study has shown that
accuracy in detecting the presence of twin canals increased
using a periapical radiograph with
a horizontal shift.4 Another concluded that the detection of periapical lesions was more accurate
with an angulated radiograph.6
However, the degree of angula-

tion should not be excessive, as it
would result in overlapping of the
image or changes in the image
size, thus reducing the diagnostic
quality of such a radiograph.7
Periapical radiographs taken
at different angulations may be
necessary in order to determine
the number of root and root canals
of a tooth, especially in premolars
and molars. Several studies have
shown that radiographs taken at a
horizontal angle of 30 degrees improves the ability to determine the
canal type in premolar teeth.9, 6, 4
Periapical radiographs can be
taken either by using the paralleling or bisecting angle technique.

AD

Dental radiographs are needed
for the assessment of the crown,
pulp chamber, root(s) and periradicular area of a particular tooth
(Table 3). Clinicians should make
it a routine to assess the entire
radiograph thoroughly (i.e. the adjacent teeth and its surrounding
tissue) before focusing on the tooth
of interest. It is essential to ensure
that the radiograph is mounted
correctly prior to assessment. This
is to prevent misdiagnosis or misinterpretation of the radiograph.
Use of magnification, such as a
magnifying glass, could aid in
detailed assessment of the radiograph. Restoration status and the
presence of a carious lesion or
periapical pathology on any tooth
should be identified, documented
and included in the treatment plan.
When assessing the radiograph of
the tooth of interest, the clinician
should start from the crown then
move towards the root and its periradicular area. Any findings must
be included in the documentation
and considered when deciding on
the treatment option.

The periapical radiograph
must have minimal distortion and
magnification, as any elongation
or foreshortening would result in
incorrect measurement of the
root canal length. Careful assessment of the root is essential to
identify any root aberration that
may be present (Fig. 1). It is quite
common to find a Chinese patient
with a C-shaped canal or other
Mongoloid trait with an aberrant
root or root canal anatomy.10
Thus, thorough assessment of
the radiograph is necessary to ascertain the presence of additional
roots or root canals and thereby
establish treatment difficulty.
Since endodontic therapy involves the treatment of the root
canal, which is not visible to the
naked eye, radiographs aid in
determining whether treatment
was carried out satisfactorily and
adequately.

Preoperative assessment
Dental radiographs are important in endodontic therapy to
determine tooth morphology, ascertain the cause of the dental
problem and provide an early assessment of the tooth of interest.
Based on a radiograph, the restorability of a tooth and the complexity of the treatment can be
assessed.
It also helps clinicians decide
whether he or she has the skills to
perform the treatment or should
refer the patient to a specialist.
The presence of a pulp stone in
the pulp chamber or another obstruction within the tooth or root
canal (e.g. a post, a pin, a separated instrument or root filling
material) can be determined
prior to treatment (Fig. 2). This is

Area

Factors assessed

Crown

• Caries (depth, location, extension)
• Restoration status
(secondary caries, margins,
depth, extension)

Assessment of the restorability
of the tooth and treatment
complexity.

Pulp
chamber

• Size, shape, location
of the pulp horn
• Distance to the occlusal surface
of the crown

Ensures the depth and direction
of the bur during access
Prevents iatrogenic perforation
of the tooth during access
preparation.

Root

Root
canal

• Number of roots
• Size of roots
• Curvature (degree, direction)
• Presence of accessory roots
• Crown–root ratio

• Number of root canals
• Size of canals
• Presence of accessory/
lateral root canals

Rationale

Determination of the number of
roots and root canals is important
to avoid missed and untreated
canals, which would result in
endodontic treatment failure.
The presence of excessive root
curvature would indicate the level
of difficulty of the treatment.
The clinician must pay extra
attention when treating sclerosed
or obliterated canals.
Use of magnification, such as
dental loupes or a microscope,
is recommended in this situation.

Table 3: Factors to consider during radiograph assessment.


[3] => Untitled
ENDO TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition No. 3/2015
important, as it will give the clinician some indication of the prognosis and any difficulties that
might occur during treatment. All
of these factors must be discussed
with the patient prior to treatment, so that he or she can decide whether to proceed with the
endodontic therapy.
While the use of a periapical
radiograph alone may be sufficient in most cases, supplementary radiographs may be needed if
the clinician finds that the tooth
may have additional roots or to ascertain the root curvature. Taking
another periapical radiograph at
a different horizontal angulation
(10–30 degrees) may therefore
be necessary. Again, care must
be taken to minimise the extent
of superimposition on adjacent
teeth. The SLOB rule (same lingual, opposite buccal) can be used
to determine the location of an
additional root or root canal.

voids. This can be confirmed by
taking a periapical radiograph
during treatment. Obturation
that is shorter or longer than the
working length may affect the
treatment outcome.

Post-operative assessment
After therapy has been completed, a periapical radiograph
should be taken to ensure that
the treatment was carried out
adequately. This will function as
a baseline when reviewing the
patient six to 12 months later.
From this immediate post-opera-

Trends & Applications 19

tive radiograph, the quality of the
final coronal restoration can be
ascertained and the size of the
periapical lesion, if present, can
be assessed. At the recall appointment, a new periapical
radiograph of the endodontically
treated tooth is taken to monitor
the healing of the periapical lesion and to confirm the success of
treatment. The presence of a new
periapical lesion or the enlargement of an existing one should be
noted, and necessary measures
should be taken to identify the
cause of treatment failure.

Conclusion
Using intra-oral radiographs
is the only method in endodontic
therapy that allows the clinician
to make an assessment of the root
and its supporting tissue. In order
to gain the full benefit of this radiograph, clinicians have to ensure
that it is appropriately exposed,
shows no processing errors and
has no or minimal image distortion. It also has to be correctly
mounted, labelled and dated.
Clinicians must be able to select
which radiograph is necessary to
aid in their endodontic diagnosis

based on the patient’s history and
clinical examination. DT

Contact Info
Dr Safura Baharin
is Head of Clinical
Services at the
Faculty of Dentistry of the National University
of Malaysia near
Kuala Lumpur in
Malaysia. She can be contacted at
safurabaharin@ukm.edu.my.
AD

Here is the absolute desinfection in Endodonties !

The size of the root canal can
also be assessed from the radiograph. This information will
provide some indication of the
complexity of the treatment and
the choice of the obturation material and technique. A tooth with
an open apex may require placement of a calcific barrier, such as
mineral trioxide aggregate, apically prior to obturation.
The status and quality of the
existing coronal restoration must
be assessed radiographically and
clinically. All defective restorations must be removed and replaced with either permanent or
temporary restorations. Any carious lesion must be noted, and the
depth of the lesion must be determined clinically. This is important in order to ensure that
the tooth is deemed restorable
prior to treatment. The clinician
must decide on how to restore
the tooth after completion of
endodontic therapy prior to initiation of treatment.
Posts, separated instruments
or root filling material within the
root canal may complicate the
endodontic treatment (Fig. 3).
The size and type of post will
determine the feasibility of removing such a post. A separated
instrument in the apical third of
the root and below the curved
root may be more difficult to
remove than a more coronally
located fragment.

Irrigation

During obturation, it is important that the root canal be
obturated to the predetermined
working length and have no

Desinfection

YOUR ROOT CANAL
CLEANING EVEN
MORE EFFECTIVE
CONCEPT
PATENTED

Operative assessment
(treatment phase)
Working length is confirmed
and quality of obturation is
assessed during treatment to
ensure the treatment is carried
out satisfactorily. A periapical
radiograph may also be taken to
ascertain the correct angulation
of the bur or endodontic file when
negotiating a blocked or calcified
canal, during post space preparation and even during access
preparation through a calcified
pulp chamber (Fig. 4). This is essential for preventing procedural
errors, such as perforation of the
pulpal floor or canal wall.

THE POWER
OF EFFICIENCY

IRRIGATYS :
the new two-in-one
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Two-in-one system that can provide the solution
and strongly activate the liquid for a perfect
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A removable tank allows the
irrigation of the root canal with
Hypochlorite and EDTA. The
irrigation line leads the solution through the Irriga-Tip®.
These patented technology,
developed after 6 years of
research, optimize the result
of the complex procedure of
root canal irrigation.

Tip oscillation
to allow perfect
desinfection.
Class IIa medical device. CE0120. For dental healthcare professional use only. Certifying body SGS United Kingdom


[4] => Untitled
20 Endo News

ENDO TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition No. 3/2015

“Our aim is to be a leading provider
of evidence-based endodontic CE”
An interview with APEC President Dr Ibrahim Abu Tahun, Jordan

Dr Ibrahim Abu Tahun

In early April, specialists and
other dental professionals
from the Middle East and Asia
Pacific regions will be gathering in the Jordanian capital of
AD

Amman for the 18th time to attend the scientific congress of
the Asian Pacific Endodontic
Confederation (APEC), which
will be held under the theme
“Next generation endodontics”. Dental Tribune Asia
Pacific had the opportunity to
speak with Dr Ibrahim Abu
Tahun, President of APEC and
Assistant Professor of Endodontics at the University of
Jordan’s Faculty of Dentistry,
about the congress and the
current state of the specialty in
his home country.

in the country and especially
in the capital?
Dr Ibrahim Abu Tahun:
The travel warnings released by
Western foreign offices did not
include Jordan or any part of it
at any stage. Our country has
officially condemned this crime
and Their Majesties the King and

Dental Tribune Asia Pacific:
Political tensions in the region
remain high, particularly after
the Charlie Hebdo massacre in
Paris earlier this year. How is
the current security situation

Queen of Jordan led world leaders
in the march against terrorism
in Paris.

His Majesty’s wise leadership
have made Jordan an oasis of
peace and one of the top ten
countries worldwide in terms of
security.

for the first time in our part of the
world, the 18th APEC conference
is going to attract dentists from
all over the Arab world and the
entire Asia Pacific region.

Could you give us an accurate view of the current status
of endodontics in Jordan?

What are the main topics,
and who is the conference
aimed at?

“...endodontics has experienced
significant progress in Jordan.”
Decades of political stability,
moderation and tolerance under

There is a general surplus of
dentists, both general practitioners and specialists, entering the
Jordanian market each year. The
total number of registered dentists
with the Jordanian Dental Association at the end of 2011 was slightly
over 7,000, and 10 per cent of these
were specialists. The kingdom
currently prides itself on having
the highest number of highly qualified dental professionals with
postgraduate qualifications compared with any other country in the
Middle East. Many of them have
been trained in Western Europe,
North America and Australia.
Is endodontics therefore a
recognised specialty in your
country?
In the past, Jordanian endodontists were members of the
Jordanian Society of Conservative Dentistry and had to practise
under the umbrella and regulations of the Jordanian Dental
Association. 2007 saw the establishment of the Jordanian Endodontic Society. Endodontics is
of the eight dental specialties
recognised by the Jordan Medical Council, which is the highest
medical authority responsible
for the organisation of the medical profession and specialisation in the country. Since then,
endodontics has experienced
significant progress in Jordan.
Ranked number one in scientific research in the Arab world
and 30th overall worldwide, the
Jordanian educational system attracts a large number of foreign
students. It is also home to many
foreign universities’ campuses.
The country is the region’s top
medical tourism destination, as
rated by the World Bank, and fifth
in the world overall, having everything from highly skilled doctors to state-of-the-art facilities.
Clinics here cater for all dentistry
needs. Plans are currently underway to make it a regional hub for
the training of medical staff in the
Middle East and North Africa.
How many visitors do you
expect for the APEC congress?
Around 1,000 participants
are expected to attend this large
international event. Organised

The theme of the conference
is “Next generation endodontics”.
The scientific programme, with
emphasis placed on Asian Pacific
experience, provided by speakers from the respective countries, will have two parallel sessions with world-leading experts
in the field, original clinical and
scientific research posters, as
well as pre- and post-congress
hands-on sessions, covering the
recent advancements and issues
in the field.
Our aim is to be a leading
provider of evidence-based continuing endodontic education
for the entire dental team and
anyone with a general interest in
endodontics.
How do you think the congress is going to affect endodontic treatment and diagnostics
in the future?
Such international meetings
always constitute a platform for
scientists and practitioners to
update their knowledge and
interact with the latest endodontic innovations worldwide to
improve their knowledge and
answer the ultimate question:
where do we stand?
In addition to the scientific
programme, what can participants look forward to in
Amman?
This pioneer endodontic
event in the Asia Pacific region is
intended to connect colleagues
from around the world to generate and update knowledge and
foster friendship. A wide range
of dental products, including instruments and other equipment,
will be on display by our industry
partners.
It is a great pleasure and
honour to welcome participants
to the country where some of the
earliest chapters of human civilisation were written. Travelling
to Jordan, with its rich heritage of
biblical and historical sites, will
provide visitors with a unique
opportunity to enjoy the warmth
and hospitality of our country
and its people.
Thank you very much for
the interview. ET


[5] => Untitled
ENDO TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition No. 3/2015

Endodontic imaging mode
available from Planmeca
DTI

Planmeca has introduced a
new imaging mode that was
developed especially for use in
endodontics and in cases dealing
with small anatomical details,
such as imaging of the ear. The
new mode, which produces extremely high-resolution images
with a very small voxel size of
only 75 µm, is available for all
Planmeca ProMax 3D imaging
units.

and artefact removal algorithms,
noise-free and crystal-clear images can be produced, the
Finnish dental equipment manufacturer said. With Planmeca
ARA, for example, artefacts resulting from metal restorations
and root fillings in the patient’s
mouth that cause shadows and

streaks in CBCT images can be
removed effectively. In addition,
the new Planmeca AINO Adaptive
Image Noise Optimiser is intended to reduce noise in CBCT
images resulting from a particularly low radiation dose or small
voxel size without losing valuable details. The company said

Endo Products 21
that the filter particularly improves image quality in the
endodontic mode, where noise
is inherent due to the extremely
small voxel size. It has also
proven useful when used in
accordance with the Planmeca
Ultra Low Dose protocol, where
noise is induced by the particularly low dose.
Planmeca AINO also allows
the reduction of exposure values
and consequently the radiation
dose in all other imaging modes,
according to Planmeca. ET
AD

According to Planmeca, the
new mode provides clinicians
with perfect visualisation of even
the smallest anatomical details.
Owing to new intelligent noise

Irrigatys
DTI

With endodontic treatment,
there is the risk of superinfection. The French laboratory
ITENA Clinical claims to have
solved this problem with its revolutionary Irrigatys handpiece.
This two-in-one device is used
for both irrigation and agitation
of the cleaning solution inside
the root canal. To achieve this,
the laboratory put a perforated
metal tip at the top of the handpiece to deliver the cleaning solution in an oscillating movement.
A removable tank allows the root
canal to be treated successively
using sodium hypochlorite and
EDTA. The irrigation line directs
the cleaning solution through the
metal tip.

Changing the DNA of NiTi

• 300% more resistance to separation
• No shape memory + Extreme flexibility = Superior Canal Tracking
The patented technology,
achieved after six years of research, optimises the results of
a very complex procedure, according to the company. Ambidextrous, light and flexible, the
device has excellent ergonomics, providing intuitive handling.
Irrigatys recharges on a charging station that can be fixed to
the chair.

www.coltene.com/contact
002319

Irrigatys is available with all
of its accessories in a starter kit.
The metal tips are available in
two sizes, 17 mm and 21 mm, to
cover all clinical cases. ET

• Regains shape after sterilization = Multi-use


[6] => Untitled
ENDO TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition No. 3/2015

22 Business

Endodontic treatment in the future
will be simpler and standardised
An exclusive interview with Drs Laurent Bataillard and Didier Lakomsky, MICRO-MEGA

Since 1905, MICROMEGA has been at
the heart of great
technological revolutions in the field of
dentistry. Today, the
French pioneering
company is still delivering turnkey endodontic solutions to Dr Laurent Bataillard
Dr Didier Lakomsky
practitioners around
the world. At the start of a series
duction, operations and manageof innovations, Dental Tribune
ment until Sanavis recruited
International recently travme. That is how I came to join
elled to Besançon in France
MICRO-MEGA—kind of a return
to meet Managing Director
to the roots.
Dr Laurent Bataillard and
Endodontics Business Unit Director Dr Didier Lakomsky to
discuss how their company
intends to reassert its global
reputation of French expertise,
which it established in 1907
when it introduced its first
nerve broach.

There is a strong product synergy today between the various group entities. MICROMEGA’s core business is
endodontics. Our historical
expertise started with the
nerve broach and is constantly
evolving with the latest technologies. Do things differently
and/or create something new
based on our knowledge—
that is our challenge for the years
to come.
French consumers seem to
be very sensitive when it comes

We invest in research, innovation, marketing, design and
training for the men and women
who are to become the main roleplayers of future innovations.
Training for these innovations
and the acquisition of new skills
needed for future professions
within the company are a central
part of our strategy. Each new development in dentistry and technology leads to training sessions
for our staff. That is why our
employees are strongly committed to their company and the
turnover rate is extremely low.

“Our aim is to continue our strong
development in Asia while consolidating
our position in Europe and the US.”

Dental Tribune: Dr Laurent
Bataillard, you have been the
Managing Director of MICROMEGA for almost a year now.
What is your background?
Dr Laurent Bataillard: I am a
physics engineer with a specialisation in metallurgy. The subject
of my doctoral dissertation was
in fact phase transformation in
nickel-titanium wires for use in
endodontics. After my doctorate,
I worked in the metalworking
industry for several years and
held various positions in research and development, pro-

What were the benefits of
the company’s takeover by the
Sanavis Group in 2009?
The Sanavis Group is one of
the ten most important dental
equipment suppliers in the
world. The grouping of the companies MICRO-MEGA, SciCan
and SycoTec is now able to offer
practitioners worldwide a comprehensive range of innovative solutions: endodontic files,
micro-motors, and complete retreatment and hygiene systems.

to the country of origin of the
products they buy. What does
“made in France” mean to you?
It reflects the intent, among
others, to maintain our industry
in France and in Besançon and
to avoid outsourcing of jobs
abroad. MICRO-MEGA has been
designing, manufacturing and
marketing dental surgical instruments in the heart of the
French watchmaking and microtechnology capital for over
a century now.

Furthermore, all production
stages, from the product design
to the delivery of the final product, take place under one roof.
This results in great flexibility
and quick response, an important synergy between the various
entities, perfect control of the
entire production process, as
well as optimised traceability
and follow-up.
Despite our international orientation, we need to remember

where we come from. We have
strengthened our presence in
Besançon and in France through
partnerships with university
hospitals and local practitioners,
and we are even considering patronage of a local modern concert hall.
How do you intend to implement your international development strategy?
By responding to everyone’s
needs closely. The Garniers, the
company’s founding family, have
always collaborated with the
great names in the history of
dentistry. These successful partnerships have brought about
revolutionary products, like the
nerve broach, the Giromatic (first
contra-angle with reciprocating
movement), the HERO 642 sequence (first MICRO-MEGA NiTi
sequence, developed by Profs. P.
Calas and J.-M. Vulcain), Revo-S
(NiTi sequence with three instruments, designed by Drs J.-P.
Mallet and F. Diemer) and One
Shape (first single instrument
in continuous rotation, developed by Profs. F. Pérez and M.
Guigand).
We are currently strengthening our presence all over the
world through conferences and
training for dentists. Our aim is
to continue our strong development in Asia while consolidating
our position in Europe and the
US. We work with the opinion
leaders of the main European
markets and conduct precisely
targeted studies in order to offer
complete and specific endodontic solutions corresponding
to practitioners’ habits. Our
strength lies in our products’
quality, simplicity, security and
efficiency: these are the keywords that define our day-to-day
work.
Is ecology a matter of concern for you?
Naturally, we try to recycle as
much as possible and to avoid
waste. We also seek ongoing improvement of our manufacturing
processes.
Dr Lakomsky, what is your
role in the company?


[7] => Untitled
ENDO TRIBUNE Asia Pacific Edition No. 3/2015
Dr Didier Lakomsky: MICROMEGA’s reputation is based on
technical expertise combined
with comprehensive networking
with dental professionals. My
role is to define and implement
high-performing products in
close co-operation with endodontic specialists, general
practitioners and distribution
partners worldwide. Ensuring
benefit from these exchanges
with practitioners, anticipating
future market needs and transforming them into relevant technical solutions are also part of
my function at MICRO-MEGA.
A structural consequence of my
work is the grouping of the marketing and the research and
development departments concerning product planning in the
short, medium and long term.
In this regard, I encourage and
support synergies.
What do you think endodontic treatment will look like
in the future?
Above all, it will be simpler
and more standardised. Continuous rotation and reciprocating
motion are currently enjoying
irrefutable success. This evolution—one could even call it a
revolution—has enabled general
practitioners to increase the
number of endodontic treatments
performed in their practice. Increasing endodontic treatment is
a trend that is likely to continue in
the coming years.

Business 23

AD

The Dental Tribune International
C.E. Magazines
www.dental-tribune.com

In the future, endodontic
treatment will be quicker, but
will still respect bacterial prevention standards. Sodium hypochlorite may be replaced by
a new irrigation solution that
offers the same efficiency while
reducing the irrigation time.
We can expect solutions that
are more sophisticated and that
have scientifically proven effectiveness. The technological evolutions will extend gradually
over the next three to five years.
Practitioners will work with increasingly flexible and resistant
materials, allowing the treatment of even complex root
canals, and with imaging techniques like CBCT, offering an
extremely precise 3-D visualisation of the root canal structure
and enabling practitioners to
choose the appropriate treatment method according to the
anatomical and clinical complexity. This is often referred to as
stratification. In the longer term,
the introduction of pulp regeneration techniques according to
the clinical case is expected, with
diagnostic methods allowing the
evaluation of the reversibility of
a case of pulpitis.
What are MICRO-MEGA’s
objectives today?
Our goals are to provide general practitioners with solutions
that make endodontic treatment
reproducible and as simple as
possible, to enable them to increase their number of cases
and to improve their success
rate significantly. The last is a
fundamental condition for our
company’s success.
Thank you very much for
the interview. DT

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[8] => Untitled
Planmeca ProMax 3D
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