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Endo-Apex Obturation System - Doctor Evaluation
Endo-Apex™ : 2 in 1 Cordless Endodontic Obturation System
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Buena Park Dental Group Jin-Ho Sung DDS & Inoak Park DDS 5441 Beach Blvd Buena Park, CA 90621 Phone 714-670-2828, Fax 714-670-2820 |
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User's review about Dentazon Endo-Apex from Jin-Ho Sung DDS
We ordered one set of the Endo-Apex 2-in-1 Cordless Obturation System at the Spring 2010 CDA meeting after watching DXM’s floor demonstration.
Reason for Deciding to Order
The price is much lower than comparable products from other companies.
The rotation of the Gutta Easy tip reduces the need to bend the silver needle tip and could help save money on replacement thermal tips.
The device reaches working temperature rapidly, which reduces waiting time compared to other systems.
The simple glue-gun-type chamber appears to require less maintenance. Other users told me they never needed to replace the Teflon plug. At first, they expected to replace the plug frequently because the manual had a section about it, but Dentazon told them that normal users typically do not need to replace it.
DXM’s long history of manufacturing dental products could reduce future service problems. I have been using DXM products since 1999, and I believe Korean product quality is much better than that of comparable countries.
The device includes a safety circuit with lithium batteries, which reduces the chance of explosions like those sometimes reported with bad cell phone batteries.
Using the Endo-Apex
Gutta Easy looks like a high-end glue gun. It is easy to understand how to use. The temperature reaches 180°F very quickly, and the silicone rubber cover protects the patient’s lip from heat trauma. I keep extra covers for each patient.
The rotating needle is an ideal feature. I do not know how it could rotate without Gutta Percha leaking or sticking on the rotating portion. It is always freely rotates. Other companies should learn from this design. It makes it easy to direct the needle without excessive or repeated bending of the expensive silver needle. This gives me a daily maximum 4–5 case capacity without having to recharge each time. I use it for endodontic cases and implant screw sealing.
At first, I had trouble understanding the shipping power on/off switch at the end of the handle. I had difficulty clicking it to turn the power on. Several small clicks did not work, and I thought the device was defective. However, one deep push worked. Once the device is turned on, I do not need to use that switch anymore.
Is there any way to disguise the glue gun shape with lots of Phillips screws showing? We dentists already have many gun-type tools, which fill our shelves. A shiny fluorescent color with matching, almost full disposable plastic wraps may make the gun look less like an old-fashioned device and more like candied “007” style guns. I do not have exact ideas, but there could be innovative, practical designs.
For implant restoration cases, sealing abutment coping screws with Gutta Easy is more convenient and better than using packing cotton pellets. It is less expensive and better quality than soft elastic implant packers, which can prevent screw damage when unscrewing and removing them later. If the screw head is damaged during recovery, it can become a very expensive problem. Gutta-percha provides a good seal and better support for cosmetic screw opening sealing final fillings. Sometimes older methods can cause leakage, and cotton inside can become discolored with a bad smell. All we need to do is cover a very small hole on the screw head and add an additional 1–2 mm. For this, I use extra fine tips.
Using the Friendo
The product has a good shape. I received the lime color, and it looks sharp and aesthetically pleasing.
The device heats rapidly to the required temperatures, and with the press of a button, it reaches melting temperature. After use, it cools relatively quickly to help prevent burns to others.
I need more practice to adapt my traditional lateral condensation method to this heated compaction method.
It may be very helpful to have a DVD with graphical explanations of typical methods and how the device actually works. With a few model blocks, it may be easier to practice and get used to the new method. We will soon become accustomed to it, but training materials would help make this good product even more complete. The practice block should be made of good material because CDA showed a block that melted at those working temperatures.
This method is more economical than using many accessory gutta-percha cones, both in material and time.
I unscrew the silver tip after use and place it in the autoclave, but we are too new to know how durable the tips are after frequent unscrewing and sterilization. Other users told me that unless the tips are tightened each time, they will not last. It would be very helpful if Dentazon provided a piezo-scaler-style torque-limiting wrench at a small cost. Overtightening makes accidental separation inside the patient’s mouth possible. The tip is normally protected by rubber, but sometimes it is not. Overtightening can also cause permanent damage to the top screw receiving parts of the main unit.
The control panel switch works very well, and the silicone cover is an intuitive idea at a very small cost. However, it is somewhat difficult to remove the cover after each patient. I end up using a plastic intraoral camera cover and trimming the front and back areas to fit only the non-heating area.
Overall Impression of Endo-Apex
The Endo-Apex offers good workmanship at the most economical price we pay. It provides a good response to many gutta-percha-related dental procedures, including endodontic fillings, removing old gutta-percha, and implant abutment screw sealing.
July 15, 2010
Jin-Ho Sung DDS
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