• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.56 no.10
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• pp.572-580
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• 2018

Adequate access cavity is the key to achieving endodontic success. The aims of the access cavity can be considered as follows: 1) Creation of a smooth unimpeded pathway for instruments to canal orifices 2) Removal of the entire roof of the pulp chamber in order to inspect the pulp floor, 3) Preservation of natural tooth substance consistent with the above. Recently, contracted endodontic cavities based on minimally invasive endodontics has introduced. This has the benefit of preserving the pericervical dentin more than traditional access cavity with achieving long-term success. However, some studies reported controversial results regarding root canal detection, instrumentation efficacy (noninstrumented canal area, hard tissue debris accumulation, canal transportation, and centering ratio) as well as fracture resistance. Therefore, further studies are required for accepting contracted access cavity, and modified form of traditional and contracted access cavity could be considered.