Discus Dental Smart Endodontics endorses the concept of instrumentation hybridization, when appropriate. Instrumentation hybridization removes barriers to the adoption of Smart Endodontics principles by incorporating LSX into the doctor’s current technique. Discus Dental Smart Endodontics is committed to enabling dentist to properly clean the apical third, which can only be realized by incorporating LSX into their instrumentation technique.
It is important that instrumentation hybridization is applied only in the appropriate circumstances. Discus Dental Smart Endodontics sales representatives must learn about the doctor’s current situation to guide them to the approach that is best for them, and their patients. For example:
A hybrid approach is applicable when the doctor is experienced, proficient and completely satisfied with their current tapered rotary technique but sees value in preparing to the correct size apically with LSX.
A hybrid approach may or may not be applicable when the doctor has tried using LSX but considers themselves unsuccessful in converting fully from their current technique, assuming that sufficient time has been invested in learning and applying the technique in their practice. If further training and mentoring are no longer options, than an attempt can be made to revert back to their current technique while still using LSX to finish the apical portion of the canal.
- The doctor has never used tapered rotary instruments. Discus Dental Smart Endodontics is not about to teach them the proper techniques of another manufacturer’s instruments. Discus Dental Smart Endodontics does not have the time or expertise to do this properly and we don’t believe it will result in better patient outcomes than adopting the standard LSX technique.
- The doctor is not satisfied with their current technique and wants to learn and apply a simple technique, A to Z.
- The doctor currently uses LSX successfully. We don’t want to give them the impression that a hybrid technique is any better than the standard LSX technique they are using successfully now, because it isn’t.
- The doctor has very little experience in performing root canal treatment.
The term hybrid is meant to be sufficiently vague so that it may include most every technique, rotary, manual, reciprocating, ultrasonic, etc. When we use “hybrid” we mean prepare the coronal and mid-root with the technique of your choice but, save the completion of the apical third for LSX. This doesn’t mean other instruments can’t go into the apical third – it simply means that the apical portion of the canal has not been completed until LSX is used. The apical third is only completed when prepared to the Final Apical Size with LSX using the recommended technique as confirmation that the correct FAS has been determined.
