Instrumentation of the root canal system Flashcards
What is the function of instrumentation
• It removes infected soft and hard tissue
• It gives disinfecting irrigants access to apical canal space
• It creates space for the delivery of medicaments and subsequent obturation
It retains the integrity of radicular structures
What is the function of the chemical preparation
Irrigate to kill microorganisms
Remove the smear layer
What is the function of the mechanical preparation
Prepare shape
Allows irrigant to flush out debris and microorganisms
What are the chemomechanical aims
Shape the canal
Allow delivery of sodium hypochlorite to working length
Create a shape that makes it easier to obturate
What are the challenges of root canal preparation
• The root canal system is very complex which can make it difficult to get the irrigant there
• The number, length, curvature and diameter of canals can vary considerably
Vertucci’s classification shows this
What is the estimated working length
○ Length at which instrumentation should be limited
Obtained by measuring pre-operative radiograph to determine distance between coronal ref point and radiographic apex, then subtracting 1mm
What is the corrected working length
○ Length at which instrumentation and subsequent obturation should be limited
Obtained by use of an electronic apex locator and/or working length radiograph
What is the master apical file
The largest diameter file taken to working length and therefore represents the final prepared size of the apical portion of the canal at the working length
What are the types of instrument motions
filing reaming (warning) watch-winding balanced force motion envelope motion
What is watch winding
○ Back and forward oscillation of 30 to 60 degrees
○ Use light apical pressure
○ Effective with k files
Useful for passing small files through canals
What is balanced force motion
○ Insert file and engage into dentine with a quarter turn clockwise
○ With continued apical pressure turn the other way with a half turn anticlockwise
Do this a few times before removing file
What is the irrigation protocol
- EDTA 17% for 1 minute to remove the smear layer
- Sodium hypochlorite 3%, 30ml for 10 minutes
- Do a slow injection and do not use the thumb
Revise restorative synopsis and chemomechanical disinfection section
What are barbed broach instruments
- Used for extirpating, NOT enlarging
- Formed from a tapered round shaft by lifting up portions of metal of the shaft almost at a right angle to the shaft
- Must not engage the canal walls
- Extremely fragile instrument and will break easily if misused
- The elevated barbs engage the pulp tissue and remove it from the canal
The largest size broach which will fit freely in the canal is selected
Describe the iso color coding
○ Pink = 06 ○ Pale pink = 08 ○ Purple = 10 ○ White = 15 ○ Yellow = 20 ○ Red = 25 ○ Blue = 30 ○ Green = 35 Black = 40
Describe the iso sized instruments
○ All have 16mm cutting flutes
○ Each file is named according to its diameter at the first rake angle
○ Taper is 0.32 over the 16mm or 0.02 per mm
Diameter at D2 = apical size + 0.32mm