Nonsurgical and Surgical use of Microscope

Although microscopes have been used in the medical field since 1950s, they were not introduced to the field of endodontics until early 1990s. However, as of January 1998 ADA requires that all U.S. Postgraduate Programs teach the use of microscope in conventional and surgical endodontics.

Microscope is a powerful tool which enforces the basic principles of endodontic procedures by providing magnification and illumination, and thus eliminating guesswork.

The use of microscope:

1. Diagnosis
• Locating canals e.g. MB2
• Identifying calcified canals
• Locating fractures
• Identifying perforations
2. Treatment
   • Perforation repair
   • Post removal
   • Removal of separated instrument
3.  Microsurgery
   • Inspection of resected root surface
   • Retropreparation
   • Retrofilling
   • Suturing (in some situations