endodontic files

Endo files and their methods for root canal preparation

Flexible and durable instruments are essential in the discipline of endodontics. Contemporary endodontic procedures and user-friendly tool sets combine efficiency and safety, enabling dentists to work safely and effectively even without specialized training.
The advanced tool sets in today's endodontics make the treatment of root canals easier and safer, not only in specialist endodontic practices, especially for complex canal geometries.
These new methods and instruments offer numerous advantages, particularly for the preparation of simple root canals in general dental practices.

This topic deals with the tools used in endodontics to mechanically process the root canal.
 
The task of endodontic instruments is to mechanically process the root canal. The aim is to remove the infection from the canal system and at the same time to achieve an appropriate shape for a bacteria-tight closure of the canal. The choice of instruments depends on various factors, such as the diameter, curvature and radius of the root canal as well as the instruments used.
While anatomical conditions cannot be changed, the choice of instruments plays an important role. Ideally, the instruments or files should follow the original course of the canal to keep it intact during treatment.
Any deviation from the original course leads to unnecessary loss of substance in the tooth. Among other things, this can lead to weakening of the tooth, perforations or residues of infected tissue.
Therefore, high demands are placed on the preparation instruments (endo files).

Which endo file is the right choice for each dentist ?
 
There is a large selection of different and specialized file systems for endodontic specialists on the dental market. These offer a wide range of options to suit individual preferences and special cases.
For dentists who regularly perform simpler endodontic treatments in their day-to-day practice, a complex system with many different files is often not necessary or of interest. When selecting a suitable file system for this group of generalists, some general criteria can be taken into account:

    Simplicity - The system should be straightforward and easy to use with just a few files in different scenarios and canal geometries.
    Efficiency - It is important that the chosen system offers both high cutting performance and flexibility.
    Safety - The selected system should protect against fatigue and prevent the file from breaking.

 
Importance of the ISO standard and its color codes for endo files?
 
The mechanical strength of endodontic instruments is defined by the ISO standard. This standard not only specifies the diameters and lengths of the instruments, but also the minimum requirements for their load-bearing capacity.
To facilitate handling in practice, the different diameters of endo files are coded according to a uniform color scheme:
 
    White (15),
    yellow (20),
    red (25),
    blue (30),
    green (35)
    Black (40).

This color scheme remains in the same order up to size 140.