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Dentist Tools for Root Canals

Root Canals are indicated when severe decay has invaded the root canal, which houses nerve, pulp and soft areas within the canal. This decay can lead to infection, abscess and loss of tooth. An endodontist will remove these diseased tissues and clean the canal to prevent or eliminate infection. The canal is then sealed with a hard thermoplastic latex. Your general dentist may refer you to an endodontist, a dentist with advanced training who specializes in the soft tissues and root canals of the teeth.

  1. Assessment

    • The clinician must first assess area, locate and measure the root and determine the appropriate procedure and tools. Digital x-rays may be used, in addition to an Apex Locator, a sonar probe that is used to locate the tip of the root and provides 32-times magnification of the area. The clinician may also use blunt Endodontic Explorers to locate the canal opening and explore the root canal.

    Anesthesia

    • The endodontist will numb the area to be worked on to minimize discomfort. He will first apply a topical anesthetic then inject a local anesthetic via needle and syringe, which typically contains lidocaine that lasts between 1-1/2 to 2 hours.

    Access Hole

    • An access hole will then be drilled into the tooth using a Gates-Glidden Drill, a long flame-shaped dental drill specifically designed to enlarge the root canal. The drills are available in different sizes depending upon the hole being drilled.

    Cleaning Out the Canal

    • The clinician will then remove the pulp, decayed nerve, bacteria and any other related debris from the root canal. Work is begun with a Broach, a thin, flexible, usually tapered or pointed instrument. Broaches can be exploratory or can be barbed to begin the removal of pulp. The barbed Broach has a series of sharply pointed barbed projections that curve backward. A tapered and pointed root canal Reamer may then be used to enlarge the canal and remove old fillings. The clinician will then proceed with files of progressively increasing diameter. K-type files are tapered and pointed with tight spiral cutting edges arranged so that the cutting occurs on either a pushing or pulling stroke. They are used to enlarge the root canal by a rotary cutting or abrasive action. H-types or Hedstroms are designed so that cutting occurs only on the pulling stroke. They are also used to enlarge the root canal, though their blades cut more quickly than the K-types.

    Irrigation and Sealing

    • A Luer lock-type syringe with a blunt needle is used to irrigate the canal with a sodium hypochlorite solution that disinfects the canal and destroys any bacteria before sealing. A Gutta Percha Heat Gun is employed to seal the canal with Gutta Percha, a latex sealant that becomes flexible and malleable when heated. The clinician may use an Endodontic Condenser, which helps mold the Gutta Percha and pack it into the canal to ensure a complete seal.

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