How to shape and clean root canals with Komet® endodontic instruments

Engineered to provide optimal access paired with superior canal preparation, Komet USA’s line of endodontic instruments ensures successful root-canal treatment for cases ranging from simple, single-canal procedures to more complex, multiple-canal therapy.

The line includes instruments for every step of the procedure, which, for most cases, entails a two-step root-canal preparation technique that maximizes procedural reliability and clinical success.

Because a significant amount of bacteria is found in the coronal third of the canal, the OP10L19 opener is recommended for use in combination with mechanical file systems. The opener enlarges the coronal portion of the canal and removes the bacteria to prevent transportation toward the apex by successively employed instruments. In addition, use of the opener improves visibility and minimizes the strain placed on subsequent mechanical files.

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Creating a glide path, during which the initial diameter of the root canal is uniformly sized throughout, reduces the stress placed on NiTi instruments used later in root-canal treatment. Although the glide path can be created manually or through a combined manual/mechanical procedure, mechanical preparation with the highly flexible Komet PathGlider™ NiTi file reduces the risk of inadvertent canal transportation. The time-saving PathGlider offers quick, single-file enlargement of the canal entrance; its fast-cutting design accomplishes effective removal of infected tissue; and its transient taper provides gradual, gentle transition to follow-up files. With a kite-shaped cross-section that minimizes aggressive action while optimizing handling, the PathGlider is easy to control inside the canal.

Once a glide path has been established, the F360^® file system offers a two-file approach to most mechanical root-canal preparations. The flexible NiTi files feature a small taper to ensure optimal adaptation to virtually all canal anatomies. The innovative file design produces exceptional cleaning results and rapid preparation procedures.

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Continue to Page 2 for the clinical sequence and a video of the technique ...

Clinical sequence

Please note: Throughout the entire treatment procedure, it is very important to thoroughly irrigate the canal to flush out all debris.

Operating the OP10L19 opener with an endodontic contra angle or a limited-torque motor at an optimal speed of 300 rpm, use a pecking or up-and-down motion to open the coronal third of the root canal. For a generous preparation, use the opener in shaping mode. Push the opener gently to the canal wall, and pull in the coronal direction.

To determine the working length of the canal, conduct initial probing with a manual K-file in size 010/015.

Using the contra-angle or motor and the pecking motion as employed with the opener, mechanically prepare the glide path with the appropriate size 015 or 020 PathGlider file.

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Once again using the conventional limited-torque endodontic contra-angle or motor as previously described, mechanically prepare the root canal with the appropriately sized F360 files. Most canals can be optimally prepared using the 025 file followed by the 035 file. For narrow canals, however, size 025 may be sufficient.

In addition, sizes 045 and 055 are available for use in extremely wide canals. Each file features Komet’s thin, double-S cross section for ideal cutting efficiency and flexibility.

Watch a video of the technique below:

For more information on Komet USA’s OP10L19 opener, PathGlider, and F360 endodontic instruments, contact Komet USA LLC at 888-566-3887 or visit the company website at www.kometusa.com.

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