Endodontic Diagnosis

Correct dignosis is the first step towards the success in Endodontics. Normally focus is always on types of rotary files, irrigation, medications and obturation system used for root canal treatment. But remember without proper diagnosis and treatment plan you will have high rate of failure.

Critical questions to ask patient

How long has this tooth been hurting? (Helps to differentiate between acute and chronic.)

? Does this pain wake you up at night? (Endo pain does; perio pain usually does not.)

? Do hot or cold liquids make the tooth hurt? (Cold positive usually indicates some type of pulpitis while heat sensitivity can indicate a degenerating pulp.)

? Is the pain spontaneous? (Endo pain is mostly spontaneous )

? Does the tooth hurt when you bite down? (Indicates inflammation in the PDL;also indicates a necrotic tooth or an occlusal discrepancy)

? Have you had any swelling? (Can indicate a possible necrotic tooth.)

For sake of simplicity this process can be summarized in 13 steps.

Step 1: Chief Complaint
Step 2: Medical History, Medications, and Allergies
Step 3: History of Present Illness (Characteristics of Pain)
Step 4: Past Dental History
Step 5: Extraoral Examination
Step 6: Intraoral Examination
Step 7: Periodontal Examination
Step 8: Percussion Tests
Step 9: Palpation Tests
Step 10: Vitality Tests
Step 11: Radiographic Examination
Step 12: Other Tests, as Needed
Step 13: Differential Diagnosis

Read above steps in details in this FULL PAPER

and see this paper which shows complexity of diagnosis,CLICK HERE Still want to learn more on endodontic diagnosis, read the WHOLE CHAPTER

DOWNLOAD this very nice Endo form for daily use in your clinic ...CLICK HERE

Role of CBCT in Endo diagnosis

. When it helps to get a CBCT ...CLICK HERE

Full paper on CBCT in Endo .CLICK HERE

Below is a Mind map to help you visulize the whole process, click on it to see the high resolution image