INSTRUMENTS USED IN ENDODONTIC TREATMENT

When the pulp suffers irreversible pulpitis, the only way to retain the natural tooth is by 

complete removal of the pulp.

Name

DG16 probe/root canal explorer

Function

Used to probe and detect canal openings within the pulp chamber

Name

Barbed broaches

Functions and precautions

• Finger instruments

• Disposed of in the sharps’ container

•Used to remove the intact pulp

• ‘Barbs’ on the broach snag the pulp to facilitate removal

• They need to be used cautiously as they can bind and break in the canal

Varieties

Available in different sizes and widths

Name

Gates Glidden drills

Function, features and precautions

•To enlarge the coronal third of the canal during endodontic treatment

• Small flame-shaped cutting instrument used in the conventional handpiece

• Different sizes – coded by rings or coloured bands on shank

•Are slightly flexible and will follow the canal shape but can perforate the canal if used too deeply

• Dispose of in sharps’ container

• Should be used only in the straight sections of the canal

Name

Peeso reamer drills

Function, features and precautions

•To remove gutta percha during post preparation

• Small flame-shaped cutting instrument used in the conventional handpiece

• Different sizes – coded by rings or coloured bands on shank

• Peeso reamers are not flexible or adaptable, if not used with care can perforate canal

• Dispose of in sharps’ container

Name

Endodontic K files. Also called: Root canal hand files

Function, features and precaution

• Finger instrument

• Colour coded by size. The 6 colours used most often are: size 15 (white); 20 (yellow); 25 (red); 30 (blue); 35 (green); 40 (black). Also available in size 6 (pink), 8 (grey) and 10 (purple)

• Operator gradually increases the size of the file to smooth, shape and enlarge canal

• The larger the number of the file, the larger the diameter of the working end

• Disposed of in the sharps’ container

Varieties

• Different lengths: 21 mm, 25 mm and 30 mm

• Hedström files, Flexofiles

Name

NiTi (Nickel titanium) rotary instruments

Function, features and directions for use

• Used to clean and shape the canals

• Used with endodontic handpiece and motor 

• NiTi is flexible and instruments follow the canal outline very well

• Several varieties of systems with different sequences of instruments are used

• Important to follow the manufacturer’s recommended speeds and instructions for use

Varieties

Different lengths: 21 mm and 25 mm

Name

Lentulo spiral filler/rotary paste filler

Function and features

• Small flexible instrument used to place materials into the canal

• Fits into the conventional handpiece

• Use with caution as it can be easily broken

• Different sizes available

Many of these finger instruments should be disposed of in the sharps’ container after one use – this is best practice, but would not be done routinely in private surgeries.

Name

Finger spreader

Function, features and precaution

• Used to condense gutta percha into the canal during obturation

• Finger instrument with a smooth, pointed, tapered working end

• Disposed of in the sharps’ container

Varieties

Can be of the hand instrument type (lateral condenser)

Name

Endodontic plugger

Function

Working end is flat to facilitate plugging or condensing the gutta percha after the excess

has been removed by melting off with a heated instrument

Varieties

• Different sizes of working ends are available

•Available as hand or finger instruments

 Name

Absorbent paper points

Functions

•To absorb any moisture in the canal (i.e. blood, pus and saliva)

•To carry medicaments into the canal

Varieties

Can be packaged in unidose (sterile) or bulk packaging (once package is open they are not sterile)

Name

Gutta percha points

Function and features

•Non-soluble, non-irritant points that are condensed into the pulp chamber during obturation

• Standardised type: follows same ISO classification as endodontic files

• Non-standardised: have a greater taper than the standard ISO type

Varieties

• Can be packaged in single dose or bulk packages

• Different sizes with different tapers available

 Name

 Endodontc ring, Endodontic block, Endodontic rulers

Functions

• An endodontic block is a sturdy block used to organise and hold endodontic finger and rotary instruments during procedures; allows easy and accurate measurement of the length of finger instruments (measuring device incorporated)

• Reduces the possibility of percutaneous injuries when handling endodontic finger and rotary instruments

• Special endodontic rulers are available for measuring the length of finger instruments

Varieties

Different varieties available

Name

Apex locator

Functions

• An electronic instrument used to determine the distance to the apical foramen

• The screen allows the operator to visualise the file movement during instrumenta-tion

Varieties

• Different manufacturers provide different varieties

•Available with a pulp tester incorporated in the machine

Name

Electric pulp tester

Function and directions for use

•Used to test the vitality of a tooth using electric stimulus

•Electric stimulus is increased in small increments until the patient can feel the stimulus

•Toothpaste or prophy paste is used to conduct the current from the pulp tester to the tooth

Varieties

•Available with an apex locator incorporated in the machine

• Different manufacturers supply different varieties of pulp testers

• Can use a cold substance to test the vitality of the pulp, i.e. ethyl chloride or Endo Cold Spray