Fig. 2. Buccal abrasion adjacent to 111 viewed via endoscope.
abrasions/lacerations, and Gasterophilus larvae (Fig. 2).2 Although a thorough oral examination can be ac- complished by skilled use of an oral mirror, the use of an endoscope does have added benefits. An oral endoscopic exam is more sensitive to picking up subtle oral pathology due to the magnification of the captured image. In addition, the endoscope can be used to improve visualization and to guide the place-
Fig. 4. Endoscopic examination of fit of extraction forceps on the tooth to be extracted.
ment of instruments during dental and oral surgical procedures.2,6,7 For instance, endoscopy can be used during oral extraction surgery to properly seat the blades of the dental spreader in the interdental spaces, avoiding unintentional damage to the teeth or soft tissues (Fig. 3). It can also be used to assess the quality of the contact of the dental extraction forceps with the crown of the tooth to be extracted (Fig. 4). Surgical progress can be monitored by in- serting the endoscope while the tooth is in the pro- cess of being manipulated to assess the tooth’s
Fig. 3. Endoscope-guided placement of molar spreaders.
Fig. 5. Using an endoscope to guide sectioning of a tooth via high-speed bur.
