Basic Root Canal Procedure Steps Flashcards
What three things are done prior to the basic root canal procedure steps?
- diagnosis
- case assessment
- anesthesia
What are the basic root canal procedure steps?
- Initial Radiographs
- Estimation of Working Length
- Rubber Dam Isolation
- Access Opening
- Working Length Determination (via radiographs)
- Cleaning and Shaping of the Canal(s) - either Step Back or Crown Down techinque
- Master Cone Selection
- Obturation (check with radiograph)
- Restoration (temporary or final)
- Final Radiograph (“finish film”)
What is the reference point on your “start films”?
the incisal or coronal-most point on the radiograph (the reference point)
How do you determine your estimated working length?
- measure from the incisal or coronal-most point on the radiographs (the reference point) to the apex of the root (or roots)
- subtract 1mm from the measurement.
What is required throughout the entire procedure (even during radiographs)?
rubber dam isolation
What is one of the hardest and most critical steps of root canal therapy?
achieving a good access opening
What do you use to measure the depth of your chamber or canal?
radiograph
Make sure you remove the ___ of the chamber (___ is yellow or brown color). The chamber floor is ___ and ___.
roof; dentin; gray; grooved
T/F. It is ok to touch the bur to the chamber floor.
False
How do you identify the canal orifice(s)?
with your endodontic explorer
Starting with a #___ file and ___ (EndoGel, Glyde, etc.), ___ the file to your estimated working length in a ___-winding motion.
10; lubrication; wiggle; watch
How do you help establish patency during the working length determination step?
with the #10 file, wiggle 1mm beyond the estimated working length
Once you have wiggled with the #10 file to the estimated working length, what should be done?
place a #15 file into the canal and wiggle it to the estimated working length. Leave the file in place and take a radiograph
How do you record your final working length?
Measure with your ruler on the radiograph and adjust your rubber stopper depending on whether the file appears short, long, or just right.
What must always be used to prepare the canal(s)?
lubrication and irrigation
Clinically, you will irrigate with ___ ___. When working with extracted teeth you will irrigate with ___.
sodium hypochlorite; water
T/F. Prepare the canal(s) moving through the file sequence from large to small. It may be necessary to force the file to length.
False, Prepare the canal(s) moving through the file sequence from SMALL to LARGE. NEVER force the file to length.
What should be done between each file used?
- recapitulate (gain patency) with a #10 file (1mm beyond your working length)
- continue to irrigate after every couple of files
What Gates Gliddens do you use? Should you force them?
#2, 3, and 5 NO
How far down do Gates Glidden files go? What is their purpose?
only part way down the canal (#2 farther than #3, #5 staying at the orifice)
to help create a straight line to the apex and help you to place bigger files to the working length
What should be down between using each Gates Glidden?
irrigate
You will keep preparing the canal(s) until when?
you have reached an appropriate FINAL APICAL SIZE. This is the biggest size you prepared at the apex.
continue to prepare the canals with larger files #20, #25, #30, etc… Remember to keep recapitulating and irrigating!
What is expected at the final apical size?
a minimum of #30 and is estimated by going TWO file sizes larger than the first file size that binds after using your Gates Gliddens.
Why do you perform the step back procedure?
now that you have opened up the coronal portion with Gates Gliddens and the apical portion with files, you need to combine the two in the middle portion of the canal.
How do you perform the step back procedure?
Select the next file size larger than your final apical file, set the stopper 1mm shorter than your working length, and prepare the canal with this file. Repeat this with the next three files sizes each 1mm shorter than the previous file length.
What should be done between every 1-2 step back files?
irrigate and recapitulate
When are you done cleaning and shaping? What should be done next?
once you have finished stepping back
check for a apical stop and take a radiograph with the file that matches your final apical size (size at the apex, at the step back sizes) at your final working length
How do you check the apical stop?
place your final file in the canal and apply gentle pressure apically on the file. If the file pushes beyond your final working length, you DO NOT have an apical stop. Prepare the canal at least 1 file size larger and repeat the apical stop check.
T/F. If you use a rotary file you ALWAYS use a combination of hand files AND rotary files.
True.
What is the conceptual difference between using rotary files versus only hand-filling?
when cleaning and shaping with hand files you use a step back procedure to enlarge the canal, while with rotary files you use a crown-down technique.
In other words, you are working down to the apex from the crown (“crown-down”) versus stepping back to teh crown from the apex (“step back”).