Computer-aided Design/Computer-aided Manufacturing–guided Endodontic Surgery: Guided Osteotomy and Apex Localization in a Mandibular Molar with a Thick Buccal Bone Plate

Abstract

A mandibular molar with a thick buccal bone plate is a challenging problem in endodontic surgery despite the increase in the success rate of endodontic surgery nowadays. This report describes the application of a surgical template to guide osteotomy and facilitate apex localization in a mandibular molar with a thick buccal bone plate. A 57-year-old woman visited the authors’ clinic for pain in tooth 19 and was diagnosed with symptomatic apical periodontitis in this previously treated tooth. Nonsurgical retreatment was performed; however, 2 years later, the patient reported pain in the same tooth. A periapical lesion was confirmed using cone-beam computed tomographic (CBCT) imaging, and endodontic surgery on the mesial root of tooth 19 was planned. After CBCT imaging and cast scan data were transferred to implant surgical planning software, the data were superimposed. In the superimposed model, an anchor pin was designed to target the mesial root apex of tooth 19. The surgical template was then printed using a 3-dimensional printer. Endodontic microsurgery included application of this printed surgical template. A computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM)-guided surgical template minimized the extent of osteotomy and enabled precise targeting of the apex in this case. There were no postoperative complications. A CAD/CAM-guided surgical template is useful in endodontic surgery for complicated cases.