Guided endodontic access enhances the management of calcified root canals regardless of operator's experience: a scoping review

Abstract

Performing conventional endodontic access in teeth with root canal obliteration presents significant challenges due to difficulties in locating and accessing the canals, often leading to unnecessary loss of dental structure and increased risk of perforations. Consequently, specialist referral is frequently recommended. Guided endodontics emerges as a promising alternative that facilitates access to calcified canals. This scoping review assesses the influence of the operator's experience on the accuracy and efficiency of guided endodontic access. A search across eight electronic databases until August 4, 2024, identified 999 records, from which 31 articles were analysed. These studies evaluated the association between operator experience and guided access outcomes. Despite variability in guide models and evaluated parameters, operators of different experience levels demonstrated similar performance. Thus, guided endodontics is a precise and efficient technique, beneficial even for less experienced operators. The primary limitations stem from the scarcity and methodological limitations of existing studies.