Minimally Invasive Access to the Root Canal System

Recently the endodontic specialty experienced multiple technological advancements. These advancements enabled the application of minimal invasive dentistry concepts in clinical endodontics. The geometrically predesigned shapes of access cavity designs were the first to be affected by this minimalistic invasion. Traditional access cavity designs were questioned, regarded as legacy concepts and modified to fit current minimal invasive trends. The objective was always dentin conservation that might benefit the patients by increasing the longevity of the endodontically treated teeth. Although dentin conservation during access cavity designs seems logical, problems do exist and more research is needed to grow the evidence for minimal invasive intervention. The aim of this chapter is to investigate the current trends in access cavity shapes, their benefits and drawbacks and to develop a rational approach to minimal invasiveness in endodontics, investigate the influence of different access cavities on root canal treatment procedures, suggest solutions for clinical problems during access cavity preparation and reflect on the future of access cavity designs.