Endodontics
Course Review
Enoch Ng, DDS 2014
Hand Instruments
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Endo explorer – long tapered tines at either a right or obtuse angle (facilitates locating canal orifice)
o
Very stuff, not for condensing gutta percha
o
Should not be heated
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Spoon excavator – long shanked and used to remove caries, deep temporary cement, or coronal pulp tissue
o
Has both right and left hand orientated positions
o
Should not be heated
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Hand files – usually 21mm, 25mm, or 31mm in length
o
Spiral cutting edge of instrument is 16mm long
Diameter increases by 0.02mm per running length mm
D
0
at tip, D
16
at end of spiral cutting edge
o
Tip angle = 75
o
+15
o
o
Color code – different files for each diameter
Each diameter increases by 0.05mm up to size 60
Each diameter increases by 0.10mm from size 60-140
o
K-files – designed with cutting, partial cutting, and non-cutting tips
Glides file through canal and aids in canal enlargement
o
Hedstrom – designed for cutting and enlarging canals
Cutting edge is inclined backwards
Ground from stainless steel wire
o
Gates Gliddens – designed for cleaning and enlarging coronal 1/3 of pulp canal
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Finger ruler
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Working length file – should end 1mm from root apex, just coronal to apical constriction
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Irrigating agent – sodium hypochlorite (bleach)
o
Adjunctive equipment
o
Irrigating needle
o
Chelator and lubricant
Use of EDTA for extended periods may be detrimental to dentinal tubules
Evaluation of Canal Preparation
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Cleaning
o
Glassy smooth walls
o
Elimination of intracanal debris
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Shaping
o
Proper canal size/taper
o
Apical preparation determination
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Drying
o
Canal is dried with paper points
