ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENTS

Dr.YASIR KHATTAK
B.D.S,MFDS,DIT,MFGDS,MSc(U.K)
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
SBDC
HAND & ENGINE DRIVEN
The primary objectives in cleaning and shaping the
root canal system are
1. Remove infected soft and hard tissue.
2. Give disinfecting irrigants access to the apical
canal space.
3. Create space for the delivery of medicaments
BROACHES
They are available in different colors, sizes and are use
to remove the pulp and materials (e,g cotton pellets)
from the canal.
However its use has declined since the advent of NiTi
rotary instruments. They are manufactured by cutting
sharp angulated barbs into metal wires.
K - FILES
These files are use in clockwise, anti-clockwise and
translational strokes and are available in 21, 25 and 31mm
lengths but all have 16mm long section of cutting flutes. The
cross-sectional diameter of the apical part of k-file is labeled
as D0. The point 1mm coronal to D0 is D1.The point 2mm
Coronal to Do is D2 and so on. The D16 is the largest diameter
of the instrument.
The taper of the file increases by 0.02mm per millimeter of the
length. Thus a size of 10 k-file has diameter of 0.1mm at D0
and corresponding diameter of 0.42mm at D16(0.1 + (16
Multiply 0.02mm).For size 50 it will be 0.5mm at D0 and
0.82mm at D16.
HEDSTROM FILES
H – File are milled from stainless steel blanks and
are very efficient for translational strokes. It will
fracture if it is use in rotational movements. They
are use to relocate the canal orifices and to remove
the overhangs. Similarly wide canals can be
instrumented with H-Files.
GATES – GLIDDEN DRILLS
These instruments are use to enlarge the canal
orifice however there misuse may reduce radicular
wall thickness and causes ledges , perforation. GG
instruments are numbered from 1 to 6( with
corresponding diameters of 0.5 to 1.5mm) the
number of rings on the shank identifies the specific
drill size.
GG drills are side cutting instruments and should
be used in straight canals. They are use in 2 different ways at
750 to 1500 rpm.
1. Step – Down technique
2. Step – Back technique
NICKEL TITANIUM
NiTi instruments are super-elastic which reduces
the chances of several clinical problems such as
ledges, perforation and blocks. However they
fracture easily compared to K- Files.
A. PROFILES:
The profile system, introduced by Dr.Ben
Johnson in 1994, has increased taper compared
to hand instruments. Cross-sectionally it has U
– Shape design and its recommended speed is
150 to 300 rpm.
NICKEL TITANIUM
B. GT FILES:
These are greater taper files which were introduced
by Dr.Buchanan in 1994. Cross sections of profile
shows a U – Shape design. Its recommended
rotational speed is 350 rpm which will prevent major
preparation errors. However instrument should be
used with minimal apical force to avoid fracture of
the tip. Micro CT comparisons showed that GT files
prepare the canal similar to the profiles.
NICKEL TITANIUM
C. PROTAPERS:
These are modified K-files having sharp cutting
edges (s- files) and have two types,
1. S (Shaping) Files. S1 & S2
2. F (Finishing) Files. F1, F2 & F3
There is another extra file with a name SX (shaping file)
which is use for enlargement of canal orifice.
The three shaping files have tapers that increases coronally
and reverse pattern is seen in three finishing files. Finishing
files have non-cutting tips.
NICKEL TITANIUM
These files should be use in electrical handpieces at
300 rpm. Studies shows that protapers produces
better and acceptable shapes in less time when
compared with Profiles and GT files.
FACTORS GOVERNING THE POTENCIAL FOR
NiTi FRACTURE:
1. Clinician’s handling (most important)
2. Root canal anatomy
3. Manufacturing quality
 PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL
PROPERTIES
1. Two to three times more flexible than SS files.
2. Greater resistance to angular deflection.
3. Sterilization restore the molecular structures of
NiTi files resulting in an increased resistance to
fracture
4. Immersion in disinfecting solution (NaOCl) for
extended periods (e.g overnight) produces
corrosion of NiTi instruments
5. Greater torque will decrease their resistance to
cyclic fatigue and depends mainly on the
contact area.