Endodontic Instruments —

Classification
A focused, clinical reference for dental students and endodontic trainees. This deck
presents instrument classifications by function and by ISO notation, with clear
categories and representative images for each group.
Classification by Function —
Overview
Instruments are organised by the role they perform during endodontic treatment:
diagnostic, access cavity preparation, cleaning & shaping (hand and engine-driven),
obturation, and surgical endodontics. Each category contains tools with distinct
designs and clinical purposes — understanding classification aids selection and
procedural efficiency.
A. Diagnostic Instruments
Endodontic Explorer (DG-16) Endodontic Tweezers
Fine, angled probe used to locate canal orifices, Delicate grasping and placement of small items such
check for fractured instruments, and assess as paper points, gutta‑percha fragments, or
calcifications. medicaments.
B. Instruments for Access Cavity Preparation
Round Burs Endo Access Burs Gates-Glidden Peeso Reamers
Initial entry and removal Specialised burs (eg. Drills Used primarily for post-
of caries to establish Endo-Z) for Engine-driven space preparation and
straight-line access and conservative yet instruments for coronal coronal enlargement;
outline the cavity. precise access flaring and widening of available in sequential
preparation while canal orifices to sizes.
preserving tooth improve straight-line
structure. access.
C. Cleaning & Shaping — Hand
Instruments (Overview)
Hand instruments perform tactile canal preparation and are essential for
negotiating curvatures, establishing glide path, and tactile assessment. Common
hand instruments include broaches, files, reamers, Hedstrom files, rasps, and barbed
broaches. Each has a specific cross‑section and cutting action that determines how
it engages dentine and pulp tissue.
C (cont.) — Hand Instruments — Details
K-files K-reamers Hedstrom Files Barbed
Standard ISO Intended for reaming (H-files) Broaches &
instrument for filing action to enlarge Aggressive cutting Rasps
and shaping; used canals; less flexible on withdrawal; Barbed broaches for
with watch-winding than files and used effective for rapid pulp extirpation and
and push-pull judiciously in curved dentine removal but tissue removal; rasps
motions to enlarge canals. require careful assist in enlarging
canals. technique to avoid narrow canals and
ledging or stripping. removing debris.
C (cont.) — Engine-Driven
Instruments
Engine-driven systems use NiTi alloys to provide flexibility and cutting efficiency.
Two major motion types: continuous rotation (rotary NiTi files) and reciprocation
(reciprocating files). These systems reduce procedural time and maintain canal
curvature when used with appropriate torque and speed settings.

Rotary NiTi Files

Continuous rotation, progressive tapers; require torque-controlled motors and
glide path establishment.

Reciprocating Files
Alternating clockwise/counterclockwise motion designed to reduce cyclic fatigue
and instrument separation risk.
D. Instruments for Obturation
Finger Spreaders Finger Pluggers Lentulo Spiral Gutta‐Percha
& Hand Spreaders Compress gutta‑percha Carriers Condensers
Used during lateral vertically in cold Deliver root canal sealer Cold or heated
condensation to condensation deep into the canal. Use condensers used to
compact gutta‑percha techniques for apical at low speeds to avoid adapt filling material to
laterally and create seal. instrument separation. canal walls and help
accessory points. remove voids.
E. Surgical Endodontic
Instruments
Instruments for apical surgery and microsurgery: periapical curettes to remove
granulation tissue, root‑end preparation burs for retrograde cavity preparation, and
specialised microsurgical instruments for precision handling under magnification.
These instruments are small, delicate, and designed for confined surgical fields.
ISO Classification — Instrument Symbols & Uses
Instrument Symbol Primary Use Representative Types

Broach B Pulp extirpation and tissue Barbed broach, Smooth broach

withdrawal

Reamer KR Canal enlargement by reaming K‑reamer

motion

K‑file K Filing and shaping; cornerstone K‑file, K‑flex

ISO hand instrument

Hedstrom file H Principally filing action with H‑file (Hedstrom)

efficient dentine removal on
withdrawal

Gates‑Glidden drill GG Coronal flaring to create GG drills

straight-line access

Peeso reamer P Post‑space preparation and Peeso reamers

coronal enlargement

Use ISO symbols to communicate instrument function succinctly in clinical notes and instrument trays. Mastery of both functional classification
and ISO notation improves team communication and instrument selection.