The document discusses the history and development of nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary files for root canal preparation. It describes how ProTaper files were developed in 2001 as a multi-tapered system with various shaping and finishing files to efficiently prepare root canals. The document outlines the characteristics of each ProTaper file and provides the recommended techniques for using them to clean and shape root canals.

3. • NiTi was developed by Buchler in 1963. First use of NiTi in endodontic was
reported by Walia et al., in 1988.
• Hand instruments have been in clinical use for almost 100 years and they are
still an integral part of cleaning and shaping procedures. Files, Reamers and
Hedstroms are considered to be the principles endodontic hand instruments for
root canal preparation procedures and all other instruments take their origins
from these three basic forms.
• NiTi was not designed for initial negotiation of the root canal, because of
extreme flexibility of it. On the other hand, the greater stiffness of stainless steel
instruments allowed them to be used for path finding and to establish canal
patency.

4. • When using the stainless steel files, occurrence of procedural
errors cannot be avoided especially in case of curved canals, such
as ledge formation.
• Various brands of NiTi rotary systems introduced and become
popular such as LightSpeed, ProFile, GT, ProTaper, HERO, K3,
FlexMaster, RaCe, EndoSequence, Twisted, ProTaper Next.
• These instruments are generally used in low speed torque control
handpiece with 360° file rotation and rotation rate of 150-350
rpm; however, they differ from one to another in the cross
sectional geometry, rake angle, tip design and taper.

5. • Various brands of NiTi rotary systems introduced:
• The rotary instruments improve:
1. Working safety
2. Shorten working time
3. Well-shaped root canals
4. Few canal transportations
• These instruments are generally used in low speed torque control hand piece with 360
degree file rotation and rotation rate of 150-350 RPM; however, they differ from one to
another in the cross sectional geometry, rack angle, tip design and taper.
6. Flex Master
7. Race
8. Quantec
9. Mtwo
10. ProTaper
1. Profile
2. GT file
3. Light speed
4. Hero 642
5. K3

6. • ProTaper rotary file developed in 2001 by group of
endodontists: Dr. Cliff Ruddle, Dr. Pierre Machtou, Dr.
John West, in cooperation with Dentsply Maillefer.
• As a logical consequence of the success of the ProTaper rotary file,
ProTaper hand file is available in market. It used in teeth with
difficult canal anatomy and/or problematic handpiece access.

8. • This system has three shaping and five finishing files.

9. Auxiliary shaping ProTaper file (SX):
• No identification ring on its colored
handle.
• Shorter overall length of 19mm.
• SX is available with 14mm of cutting
blades.
• The complex file design allows for efficient shaping of the coronal
aspects of the root canal and relocation of canal orifices in the
direction of overhanging dentine area resulting in a straight line
access. SX file is designed to replace GG drills.
• Diameter at tip of instrument (D0), and at D14.
• Taper was increased from D1-D9 (3.5% to 19%).

10. Shaping ProTaper files (S1, S2):
• They have purple and white identification rings on their handles
respectively.
• S1 is designed to prepare the coronal one-third of the canal and has an
increasing taper from Dl-D14 (2%-11%).
• S2 is designed to enlarge and prepare the middle third of the canal and
has an increasing taper from D1-D14 (4%-11.5%).
• Also, they do progressively enlarge
its apical 1/3 because these
instruments are already at WL after
initial preflaring.
• Diameter at tip of instrument
(D0), and at D14.

12. Finishing ProTaper files (F1, F2, F3):
• The finishing ProTaper files (Fl, F2 and F3) have yellow, red and
blue identification rings on their handles with D0 diameter of
0.20mm, 0.25mm and 0.30mm respectively.

13. • Finishing files have a fixed
taper in the first 3mm from
D1 to D3 (i.e. 7%, 8% and
9% for F1, F2 and F3
respectively).
• Each file has a decreasing taper from D4 to D16:
 Ensure a continuous flexibility within the file.
 Avoids too large diameter at the shaft area of the instrument.
 Reduces the potential for dangerous taper lock by engaging less dentine
and thereby decreasing the chances of breakage.
 It enhances the strength of the files while making them rather stiff.

14. Finishing ProTaper files (F4, F5):
• Some modification are introduced such as the addition of two larger
files; F4 and F5 to help in apical preparation of larger canals.
• F4 had two black rings with ISO 40 tip size and 6% apical third taper
while F5 had two yellow rings and ISO 50 tip size with 5% apical third
taper.
• The body of both files progressively decreasing in taper and that
produce excellent flexibility.
• Finishing files have a fixed
taper in the first 3mm
from D0 to D3 (i.e. 6%,
5% and for F4 and F5
respectively).

16. A. Multiple tapers:
• A unique feature of the shaping files is their progressively tapered
design which clinically serves to significantly improve flexibility,
cutting efficiency and typically reduces the No. of recapitulations
needed to achieve length, especially in tight or more curved
canals.
• This design feature allows each shaping file to perform its own “crown
down” work. One of the benefits of a progressively tapered shaping file
is that each instrument engages a smaller zone of dentin, which reduces
torsional loads, file fatigue and the potential for breakage.

17. B. Non-cutting modified guiding tip:
• The tip of these instruments is modified non cutting making it less
aggressive. This allows each instrument to accurately follow a smooth
reproducible glide path, and importantly, enhances its ability to load soft
tissue and loose debris into the intrablade flutes, where it can be efficiently
augured out of the canal.
C. Convex triangular cross-section with convex cutting edges:
• This design results in three shape blade edges that improve cutting ability
and tactile sense. It also reduces contact area between dentine and the
cutting blade of the instrument.

18. D. Helical angle and pitch:
• ProTaper files have a continuously changing HA and pitch over their
14mm of cutting blades. Changing the pitch and helical angles over the
active length of blades optimizes its cutting action. Importantly,
changing the pitch and helical angles of a file, in conjunction with a
progressively tapered design, prevents each instrument from
inadvertently screwing into the canal.

20. • Ensuring straight line access and check the patency of the canal.
• Once WL is confirmed, use each instrument progressively down to the WL.
• Always irrigate the canal before engaging the file; use instrument in well
irrigated and lubricated canal with EDTA.
• Clean the instrument directly after use and inspect for the sign of distortion.
• Avoid cyclic fatigue from overuse of file.
• ProTaper rotary files should be used at a constant and stable speed between
150-350 rpm.

21. • Withdraw the file once the WL is reached.
• For a better result, RPT shaping files should be used with a brushing action.
RPT files used with very light apical pressure. Shaping and finishing PT files do
not use more than 3-5 seconds inside canal.
• Each instrument should do minimal shaping. Only two, three, or four passes
may be required for the file to engage restrictive dentin and care the shape to
the proper depth.

22. • The ProTaper instruments should be used passively within the
canal and their use may be continued as long as they move easily
in an apical direction.
• To optimize PT safety, the pencil lead analogy is used to qualify
the specific recommended pressure. The desired pressure on an
instrument should be equivalent to the pressure used when
writing with a pencil without breaking the lead.

23. Rotary ProTaper technique

24. Technique sequence for short length canals:
• Use SX to resistance or no more than three quarter estimated working length.
• Use 15 K-file to full WL.
• Use SX to full WL.
• Use F1 to WL.
• Use F2, F3, F4 and F5 as in medium and long canals.

25. Technique sequence for medium and long length canals:
• Use S1 to resistance or no more than three quarter estimated canal length.
• Use SX to resistance.
• Use S1 to full W.L.
• Use 15 K-file to full WL.
• Use S1 to full WL in one or more passes.
• Use S2 to working length.
• Use F1 to working length.

26. • Use F2 if foramen is larger than size 20.
• Use F3 if foramen is larger than size 25.
• Use F4 if foramen is larger than size 30.
• Use F5 if foramen is larger than size 40.