INSTRUMENTS....identification, uses various materials used commonly in endodontics

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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)

9. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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