Department of Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics

Assignment Topic: ENDODONTIC & OPERATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Submitted by:
Dr. Nikita Chakma
ID: MSR-D-Cons-12-00-80
MS Resident (Phase B) R-12, Block-3
Conservative Dentistry & Endodontics
 Endodontic & Operative Instruments

 Instruments play a very important role in the success of root canal treatment
therefore a basic knowledge of endodontic instruments is essential.
 General guidelines exist for root canal preparation, but due to the complex
and varied canal anatomy each case presents unique challenges. A variety of
instruments are thus available for this purpose.

Classification of Endodontic Shaping Instruments

Endodontic instruments can be classified
a. Based on their function (GROSSMANS CLASSIFICATION)
b. COHEN’S CLASSIFICATION
c. Based on the steps in endodontic treatment (HARTY’S CLASSIFICATION )
d. Based on ISO grouping(ISO CLASSFICIATION)

BASED ON FUNCTION: The endodontic instruments can be classified based

on their function into the following:
 Exploring instruments: These are instruments used to locate canal
orifice and to assist in obtaining patency of root canal .Eg: endodontic
explorers, smooth broaches ( pathfinders)
 Debriding / Extirpating instruments These are instruments used to
extirpate pulp and remove any foreign debris. Eg. Barbed broach
 Cleaning and shaping / Enlarging instruments: These are instruments
used to clean and shape the root canals laterally and apically. Eg. Files,
reamers
 Obturating instruments: These are instruments used to pack filling
material into root canals. Eg. Spreaders, pluggers. Lentulosprials.

COHEN’S CLASSIFICATION
I. Hand-operated instruments for root canal space preparation
 II. Engine-driven and energized instruments for root canal space
preparation.
III. Instruments for root canal obturation.
IV. Instruments for post space preparation

BASED ON THE STEPS IN ENDODONTIC TREATMENT:

Endodontic instruments can be further classified based upon the steps in
endodontic treatment as
 Instruments for access cavity preparation:
A) A basic instrument pack, containing endodontic explorer, long spoon
excavator, front surface mouth mirror, endodontic locking tweezers, and
periodontal probes, flat plastic instruments and pluggers, endodontic
millimeter ruler and irrigating syringe.
B) Burs – Burs are rotary cutting instruments required to accomplish good
access preparation.

 Diamond Rose Head Burs

 Tapered Fissure

 Carbide Burs

 Safe End Long Burs

 Endo Z Bur

C) Rubber Dam
  Instruments for root canal preparation: These include various hand
instruments, rotary root canal instruments and instruments for retriving
broken instruments and posts.
 Instruments for filling root canals: These instruments include hand and
finger spreaders and pluggers.

ISO GROUPING OF ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENTS/ Classification of Endodontic

Shaping Instruments
International Standards Organization and Federation Dentaire
Internationalle committee grouped root canal instruments into 4
groups.
• Group I: Hand-operated endodontic instruments
1. Barbed broaches and rasps
2. K-type reamers and files
3. Hedstroem files
• Group II: Low-speed stainless steel endodontic instruments with
latch-type attachments
1. Gates-Glidden drills
2. Peeso reamers
• Group III: Ultrasonic and sonic instruments
• Group IV: Engine-driven nickel–titanium endodontic instruments
(most commonly used)
1. Rotary instrumentation
2. Reciprocating instrumentation
3. Canal adaptive instrumentation
 (a) Self-adjusting file (SAF) (b) XP-Endo Shaper and Finisher

STANDARDIZATION OF
ENDODONTIC STAINLESS STEEL
INSTRUMENTS
At one time, root canal instruments
were made according to the whim of
manufacturers, with no definite
specifications regarding diameter,
taper, or length of the cutting blades.
Ingle and LeVine suggested a definite
increment in diameter as the size
progressed while maintaining a
constant taper of all blades regardless
of size. Their recommendations are
given in Box 14.1 (see also Fig. 14.3)

COMPONENTS OF AN ENDODONTIC FILE / Design features of an end0dontic file

• Taper: Taper denotes the per millimeter increase in file diameter
from the tip toward the file handle. It is denoted either in numericals
or in percentile. The traditional ISO instruments were standardized to
have #.02 taper or 2% taper. In other words, a size #20 ISO file will
have a tip diameter of 0.20 mm and would have a 0.22 mm diameter
1 mm from the tip and 0.24 mm diameter 2 mm from the tip and 0.26
mm diameter 3 mm from the tip
Greater tapered instruments have been developed with 4, 6, 8, and even 10%
taper. Tapered instruments help in preparing canals of wider diameter without
overenlarging the canal at working length. Thus, a 30-size file with 2% taper, 30-
size file with 4% taper, and 30-size file with 6% taper all would have the same tip
diameter of 0.30 mm. The diameter along the file would be drastically enlarged
with an increase in the taper (Table 14.3; Fig. 14.4)
• Tip design: Original stainless steel root canal instruments usually possess a sharp,
cutting tip. However, rotary instruments currently are manufactured with modified
noncutting tips as these noncutting tips cause less canal transportation and remove
debris better than traditional instruments having conventional cutting tips.
• Flute: It is the groove or relief on the working surface of the file which collects
the debris as the file cuts through the substrate.
• Chip space: The chip space denotes the cleaning effectiveness of an instrument
as an increase in chip space denotes improved ability to remove debris out of the
root canal.
• Blade (cutting edge): It is the working area of the file and is the surface with the
greatest diameter that follows the flute as it rotates.
 • Land: The surface that projects axially from the central axis as far as the cutting
edge between the flutes. This feature is incorporated to reduce canal
transportation
Function:
 Prevents ‘‘screwing in’’ of the file • Supports the cutting edge • Limits the
depth of cut • Reduces the propagation of micro-cracks on its
circumference. • Maintains the file in the centre of root canal.
• Pitch: It is the distance from one cutting edge to the next. A file with a short pitch
will have more spirals than a file with a longer pitch.
• Rake angle: On perpendicular sectioning of a file, the angle which the leading
edge forms with the radius of the file is known as the rake angle. It can either be
positive, negative or neutral.

Positive rake angle: If the angle formed by the leading edge and the surface to be
cut is obtuse, the rake angle is said to be “positive or cutting.” E.g. K3, Quantec
systems.
Negative rake angle: If the angle formed by the leading edge and the surface to be
cut is acute, the rake angle is said to be “negative or scraping.” E.g. Profile,
ProTaper, M two, etc.
Neutral or zero rake angle: When the face of the blade coincides with the radial line
it is said to be neutral or zero rake angle (planing). E.g. LightSpeed, Greater taper
(GT) file systems.

• Helix angle: The angle formed by the cutting edge with the long axis of the file.
 Helps in removing debris collected in the flute from the canal.
As a rotary file works in a canal, the dentinal debris needs to be removed quickly
and effectively. Files with a constant helical flute angle allow debris to accumulate,
particularly in the coronal part of the file. Additionally, files that maintain the same
helical angle along the entire working length will be more susceptible to the effect
of “screwing in” forces. By varying the flute angles, debris will be removed in a more
efficient manner and the file will 3 be less likely to screw into the canal. In the K ,
the helical angle increases from the tip to the handle. The result of this design is
more successful channeling that allows for superior debris removal. The RaCe file
is unique and utilizes an “alternating helical design” that reduces rotational torque
by using spiraled and non spiraled portions along the working length. This design
feature also reduces the 20 tendency of the file to get “sucked into” the canal .

Metallurgy of Endodontic Instruments

Regarding the material of which the instruments are made, carbon steel was widely
used years ago. This is a mixture of pure iron or ferrite (93.31%) and iron carbide
or cementite (6.69%). Today, stainless steel, a mixture of pure iron (74%),
chromium (18%), which prevents corrosion, and nickel (8%), which confers
elasticity to the alloy, is preferred.
The characteristics of carbon steel instruments are:
 Rigidity increases with increased size
 The larger instruments are less resistant than smaller ones to breakage by
bending or twisting
 The instruments are easily corroded
 Low cost.
The characteristics of stainless steel instruments are:
– Greater flexibility than their carbon steel counterparts, which can be measured
in one size instrument
– Greater resistance to fracturing by twisting
– Reamers are more resistant to fracturing by twisting than files. The clinical use of
stainless steel instruments therefore has more advantages over the use of carbon
steel.
Properties of NiTi It has two unique properties superelasticity and shapememory.
Other properties
 Greater strength
 Low modulus of elasticity
 Biocompatibility
 Resistance to corrosion

What makes NiTi alloy so special? It is an alloy that exists in two crystal
structures, austenite and martensite; transitions from one crystal lattice to the
other make NiTi superelastic and give it a shape memory. Its high flexibility is
critical for rotary endodontic files because With highly elastic instruments,
forces between the file and the canal wall during instrumentation are reduced.
This results in the file remaining centered in the root canal space, and in a lower
propensity towards canal straightening or other preparation errors.

Austenite • Body centered cubic • Higher temperature • Lower stress

 Martensite • monoclinic • Lower temperature • Higher stress

R-phase : Rohmboidal structure R-phase • Intermidiate between phases

Martensite phase At low temperatures,NiTi spontaneously transforms to a

more complicated monoclinic crystal structure known as martensite phase).
Martensite's crystal structure (known as a monoclinic, or B19' (closely packed
hexagonal lattice)has the unique ability to limited deformation in some ways
without breaking atomic bonds. type of deformation is known as twinning

Twining Is the deformation that divide lattice into two symmetric parts at an
angle (the rearrangement of atomic planes without causing slip, or permanent
deformation. It is able to undergo about 6–8% strain in this manner)
Characteristics of martensite and austenite
 When the material in its martensite form it is soft and ductile ,can be easily
deformed and has excellent fatigue resistance.
 While austenitic NiTi is quite strong and hard
 Stress induced martensite (super elastic) is highly elastic like a rubber band.
The R-phase:
 The R-phase is essentially a rhombohedral distortion of the cubic austenite
phase
 The R-phase it is an intermediate transition between austenite and
martensite (occur on a narrow temperature range)
 The R-phase often appearing during cooling before martensite then giving
way to martensite upon further cooling. Similarly, it can be observed during
heating prior to reversion to austenite, or may be completely absent.
 Twisting Nickle titanium wire is only possible in Rphase (such as R-phase file
or twisted file)
 Youngs modulus is lower than austenite , thus the instrument made from R-
phase more flexible.
 R-phase shows good super elasticity
Ways of transmission between austenite and martensite: There are three
ways Nitinol can transform between the austenite and martensite phases

1. Direct transformation, with no evidence of R-phase during the forward

or reverse transformation (cooling or heating), occurs in titanium-rich
alloys.

2. The"symmetric R-phase transformation" occurs when the R-phase

intervenes between austenite and martensite on both heating and
cooling.
 3. The "asymmetric R-phase transformation" is by far the more common
transformational route. Here the R-phase occurs during cooling, but not
upon heating ,by the time one reaches a sufficiently high temperature to
revert martensite, the R-phase is no longer more stable than austenite,
and thus the martensite reverts directly to austenite
The shape memory effect the name "shape memory" refers to the fact that the
shape of the high temperature austenite phase is "remembered," even though the
alloy is severely deformed at a lower temperature

In term of endodontology ,this phenomenon may transalate to the ability to

remove any deformation within NiTi instruments by heating them above 125
c
Superelasticity refers to the ability of NiTi to return to its original shape
upon unloading after substantial deformation, similar to stretching a rubber
band This phenomenon is based on stress-induced martensite formation.
NiTi exhibit super elastic behaveor between 10-125 c

Transision temperature: The transmission temperature range (TTR) for each

Nickle Titanium alloy depends on its composition. The TTR of a 1:1 ratio of
Nickle and Titanium is -50 to +100 C. Reduction of TTR can be achieved in
several ways.
 In the manufacturing process both cold working and thermal
treatment.
 Altering nickle:titanium ratio in favoring of access Nickle ( such as in
Hyflex wire )
 By substituting of nickle by cobalt There are four transition
temperatures associated to the austenite-tomartensite and
martensite-to-austenite
transformations. Starting from full
austenite, martensite begins to form
as the alloy is cooled to the so-called
martensite start temperature, or Ms,
and the temperature at which the
transformation is complete is called
the martensite finish temperature, or
Mf. When the alloy is fully martensite
and is subjected to heating, austenite
 starts to form at the austenite start temperature, As, and finishes at
the austenite finish temperature, Af.

Stainless steel endodontic instruments and its modifications

HAND-OPERATED ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENTS

K-Type Reamers and Files In the early 1900s, Kerr Manufacturing Company
designed and manufactured new K-type endodontic instruments to improve the
efficiency of root canal preparation.
K-reamer instruments can be manufactured by
twisting a square or triangular blank by machine.
Reamers cut and enlarge canals with rotational
motions. K Reamers have a rake angle which makes
them most efficient in rotary motion, hence
reaming is preferred.

Action o'clock wise quarter –turn twist

K-files
 They are triangular, square or rhomboidal in
cross-section, manufactured from stainless
steel wire, which is grounded into desired
shape.

 Tighter twisting of the file spirals increases the

number of flutes in files (more than reamer).

 Triangular cross-sectioned files show superior

cutting and increased flexibility
than the file or reamers with square blank

 Files are instruments that enlarge canals with

reciprocal insertion and withdrawal motions.
K Files blade angle makes them best suited for
cutting dentin in the filing motion.

Modification:

 K-flex Files: It was realized that square blank of file results in total decrease
in the instrument flexibility. To maintain shape and flexibility of these files,
K-flex files were introduced. Rhomboidal or diamond-shaped blanks have
 been twisted to produce a file called K-flex (SybronEndo/ Kerr, USA). The
manufacturer claims that this design increases the flexibility and cutting
efficiency of the instrument.

 The rhomboidal blank produces alternating high and low flutes that are
supposed to make the instrument more efficient in removal of debris.

 K-flex files are rhombus in cross section having two acute angles and two
obtuse angles.

 Two acute angles increase sharpness and cutting efficiency of the

instrument.

 Two obtuse angles provide more space for debris removal. Also the decrease
in contact of instrument with canal walls provide more space for irrigation.

 They are used in filing and rasping motion.

 Flex-R file: The stainless steel file’s metallic memory to return to its original
position increases the tendency to transport or ledge the canal. A reduction
in the cutting tip angle makes the file stay more centered within the canal
and enables a more circumferential cutting action. Flexofiles are more
efficient at cutting and removing dentine than an equivalent K-file, because
the blade has a sharper angle and there is more room for debris. The tip of
the file is non-cutting. This is an advantage when preparing curved canals,
as the file is guided along the canal curvature, avoiding excessive cutting into
the outer curve of the root canal or transportation. Any flexible, triangular
cross-sectioned file, such as a Flexofile, can be used with the balanced force
action.

 Hedstroem Files: Hedstroem files, also known as H-files, are manufactured

from a round stainless steel wire machined to produce spiral flutes
resembling cones or a screw. Single helix, tear drop shaped cross-section.
This instrument has a higher cutting efficiency than K-instruments, but it is
fragile and fractures easily (Figs 14.6c and 14.7c). The better cutting
efficiency is attributed to its more positive rake angle and to its blade which
has a cutting rather than a scraping angle. The clinician should always
employ the Hedstroem file in only one direction, retraction, and never in a
torquing action

Modifications

• Safety Hedstroem: It is a Hedstroem file with a noncutting side in order to

prevent ledging in curved canals.

• HyFlex file: It has a cross-section which presents an “S” shape instead of

the traditional single-helix teardrop cross-section of the Hedstroem file.

• Unifiles: They are machined from round stainless steel wire by cutting two
superficial grooves to produce flutes in a double-helix design. They resemble
the Hedstroem file in appearance and are less subject to fracture, but are
less efficient. They are no longer marketed.

• S-file: It has a double-helix cross-section and is a variation of the Unifile.

This instrument can be used with any hand motion (filing or reaming) thus
this file can also be classified as hybrid design.

C+Files:

 The C+Files are files devised to facilitate the

location of the canal orifices and the initial
exploration of calcified canals.

 Available in ISO diameters 8, 10 and 15 with

lengths of 18, 21 and 25 mm, the C+Files show a
characteristic resistance to deformation, derived
from the robust quadrangular cross section, which allows the
operator to exert 143% more pressure during insertion into a canal
than would deform a K-File of corresponding size.

 The C+Files have depth gauge black markings along their shaft, which
indicate 18, 19, 20, 22 and 24 mm from the tip, aiding the positioning
of the silicone stop.
  Ultimately the pyramidal tip of the C+Files favours the penetration in
calcified canals, while their metallic surface has been subjected to an
electropolishing process, which makes them particularly smooth,
thereby reducing the friction against the canal walls and the
accumulation of debris in the spaces between the blades.

LOW-SPEED STAINLESS STEEL ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENTS WITH LATCH-TYPE

ATTACHMENTS

Gates-Glidden drills:

 The Gates-Glidden drill has a long, thin shaft

ending in a flame-shaped head, with a safe tip
to guard against perforations.

 The flame head cuts laterally and is used with

gentle, apically directed pressure.

 These instruments come in sizes 1 to 6

 Function:  Preparing the coronal two thirds

of the canals.  Removing gutta-percha from
the canal during post space preparation or
during retreatment.  Widen the canal when
an instrument has fractured within it.

 The long shaft is designed to break at the

neck, the narrowest diameter that lies adjacent to the handpiece. If
the drill binds during use, it will fracture at the neck of the shaft and
will extrude from the tooth. The fractured segment is easily removed
by grasping the broken shaft with pliers and pulling it out of the
tooth.
Peeso reamers

 The Peeso reamer has long, sharp flutes connected to a thick shaft. It
cuts laterally and is primarily used for the preparation of post space
when gutta-percha has to be removed from the obturated root canal.

 Both Gates-Glidden drills and Peeso reamers are made of stainless

steel and are used with an electric slow-speed handpiece in a
rotational speed range of 800–1200 rpm.

 These aggressive cutting instruments are inflexible and should be

used at slow speed in a contra-angled engine-driven handpiece and
with extreme caution to prevent overinstrumentation and
perforations.

The diameters of Gates-Glidden drills and Peeso reamers are:

 NICKEL-TITANIUM ROTARY ENDODONTIC INSTRUMENTS

One of the most significant changes in the practice of endodontics occurred with
the evolution of Nitinol by Walia and colleagues, an alloy composed of nickel and
titanium that was developed by the Naval Ordinance Laboratory, hence the name
Nitinol.

 This alloy consists of 55% nickel and 45% titanium by weight.

 This superelastic alloy does not exhibit proportional strain under stress until
a specific level is attained that ultimately causes fracture.

 This unique property is due to the austenitic crystalline structure of the alloy
which gets transformed into a martensitic crystalline structure under stress.
Thus, Nitinol exhibits shape memory, i.e., the ability to return to its original
shape once the stress is removed.
2. Reciprocating Endodontic Instrumentation

• The reciprocating instruments function at unequal bidirectional angles. The

counterclockwise engaging angle is five times the clockwise disengaging angle
and is designed to be less than the elastic limit of the file. Thus, a 150° clockwise
motion would be followed by a 30° counter clockwise motion (Fig. 14.11).

• Strategically, after three counterclockwise and clockwise cutting cycles, the

file will have rotated 360°, or one complete circle.
• This novel reciprocating movement allows a file to progress more readily, cut
efficiently, and effectively auger debris out of the canal, e.g., WaveOne Gold
system (Fig. 14.12a) and Reciproc Blue (Fig. 14.12b).

3. Canal Adaptive Endodontic Instrumentation

(a) Self-Adjusting File (SAF): This was the first system developed based on this
concept and comprised a single instrument, namely, the SAF, introduced by Zvi
Metzger.

Concept : The file three dimensionally adapts both longitudinally and along the
cross-section of the root canal system and this is its most characteristic feature.
This results in a uniform cuttingaction of the dentin from the canal walls (60–75
µm thick) and preserves the basic shape of the root canal.

Designed to be used as single-use files, the SAF system consisted of a hollow

compressible NiTi lattice with a thin-walled pointed cylinder 1.5 or 2.0 mm in
diameter. It operated with a modified vibrating handpiece generating 3,000–
5,000 vibrations/min at an amplitude of 0.4 mm. Another advantage of the
system was the feature of continuous irrigation by a silicon tube to the irrigation
hub on the file. Clinical Note The SAF system is no longer commercially available.

(b) XP-Endo Shaper and Finisher • XP-Endo Shaper instrument is a rotary snake-
shaped instrument made of a proprietary alloy (MaxWire, MartensiteAustenite
Electropolish Flex, FKG Dentaire). Due to this alloy, the file has an ability to
change its shape according to the temperature. When cooled, in its martensitic
phase, the file stands straight with a size #30 and an initial taper of 0.01.
However, when introduced to body temperature, it changes to its austenitic
phase assuming a snake shape that can achieve a final minimum canal
preparation of 30/0.04 when using this instrument alone (Fig. 14.14).

• XP-Endo Finisher is an anatomical finishing file that consists of a small-core-

size (tip size 25 and nontapered) rotary NiTi instrument made of a proprietary
alloy (MaxWire, Martensite-Austenite Electropolish Flex, FKG Dentaire). When
submitted to body temperatures, it changes to its austenitic phase (A-phase)
assuming a spoon shape of 1.5 mm depth in the final 10 mm of its length.
According to the manufacturer, when the instrument is placed inside the canal
in the rotation mode, the A-phase shape allows the files to access and clean
areas that other instruments might not have reached, without damaging dentin
or altering the original canal shape (Fig. 14.15).

CLASSIFICATION OF ENDODONTIC MOTORS

 Torque-controlled handpieces

1. These handpieces have to be either connected to an electric motor or an

air-powered motor. 2. They possess an integrated torque control setting
that can be adjusted by a swivel-type ring adjustment around the handle
of the handpiece. 3. The torque settings are preset by the manufacturer
 and cannot be altered. 4. The operator has to select one of the preset
torque settings while using the rotary endodontic files.

 Electric torque-controlled motors 1. They have the handpiece and motor

integrated into one single device. 2. Several popular torque and speed
settings are preset in the library memory of these motors that get displayed
on the LCD panel while using these motors. Alternately, the operator can
also program his/her preferred torque and speed settings while using this
device. 3. They have an auto stop function that enables a motor to
automatically stop rotating once the preset torque level is reached. This in-
built safety function reduces the incidence of fractured rotary instruments
while shaping the root canal. 4. They also have an optional auto reverse
function which enables the instrument to reverse itself once the instrument
auto stops on reaching the set torque level. 5. There are two types of these
motors: (a) Corded electric controlled motors (b) Cordless electric controlled
motors

 Combined rotary and reciprocal motors 1. The newer-generation motors

give the clinician an option of using either the rotary or the reciprocal
motion while using NiTi files. 2. The clinician needs to buy this kind of motor
for using reciprocating files in clinical practice. 3. Adaptive motors: These are
the newer generation of combined rotary and reciprocal motors wherein
the rotary files are used in rotary mode but would change to reciprocal
mode once the file exceeds a certain stress inside the canal. The instrument
once again goes back to rotary motion once the intracanal stress is reduced.

Operative Instrument
GV Black Classification This classification is based according to use of the
instrument.

• Cutting instruments:

Hand Rotary

- Hatchets - Excavators -Burs

- chisel - others - stones

 - Hoes - others

 Condensing instruments

Pluggers: -Hand – Mechanical

• Plastic instruments:

Plastic filling instrument

Cement carriers

Carvers

Burnishers

Spatulas

• Finishing and polishing instruments:

Hand Rotary

- Orangewood sticks - Finishing brushes

- Polishing points - Mounted brushes

- Finishing strips -Mounted stones

- Rubber cups

• Isolation instruments :

- Rubber dam frame clamps,

- Forceps and punch

- Saliva ejector

– Cotton roll holder

– Evacuating tips and equipment

• Miscellaneous instruments:

- Mouth mirrors

- Explorers

- Probes

- Scissors

- Pliers

- Others

RESTORATIVE INSTRUMENTS: Following are the commonly used instruments

when temporary or permanent restoration is being done.

Cement Spatulas

• Several types of cement spatulas are available in the market differing in shape
and size (Figs 6.32A and B).

• On the basis of size, cement spatula can be classified into two types (Figs 6.33A
and B): 1. Large cement spatula: Mixing of luting cements. 2. Small cement spatula:
Mixing of liner.

 Cement spatula also can be classified on the basis of thickness rigid and
flexible.

 These instruments have a small metal ball at the working end. • They are
double ended instruments. • Two types are: i. Flat end/nib with blunt edges
on each end, one perpendicular to other. ii. One is flat end/nib and other end
is round condenser nib.

 They are used to mix, carry and place cements (Figs 6.34 and 6.35).

Plastic instrument is also used to check the convenience form of tooth preparation.
Condensers Condensers are use to deliver the restoration to the tooth preparation
and properly condense it.
• The hammer-like working end of condenser should be large enough to pack the
restoration without sinking into it.

• Condensers come in single and double-ended designs.

• They are available in differently shaped and sized working ends like round,
triangular or parallelogram, which may be smooth or serrated.

• Condensers can be hand or mechanical in nature (Figs 6.36 and 6.37).

Amalgam Carriers • Amalgam carriers carry the freshly prepared amalgam

restorative material to the prepared tooth.

• Amalgam carriers have hollow working ends, called barrels, into which the
amalgam is packed for transportation (Figs 6.38 and 6.39).

• Carriers can be both single and double ended.

• Barrel of amalgam carriers comes in a variety of sizes viz; small, large and jumbo.
• Lever of amalgam carrier is located on the top of the carrier. When lever is
depressed, the amalgam is expelled into the preparation.

• A poorly packed amalgam carrier may result in amalgam fall out before it is
ejected into the prepared tooth.

• After restoration is completed, any remaining amalgam alloy is expelled out from
the carrier into the amalgam well, otherwise carrier will no longer be serviceable if
the amalgam is allowed to harden in the carrier.

Burnisher

• Burnishers are the kind of instruments which make the surface shiny by rubbing.
• They are used to smoothen and polish the restoration and to remove scratches
present on the amalgam surface after its carving.

• Burnishers have smooth rounded working ends and come in single and double-
ended types (Fig. 6.43). Different types of burnishers are available but most
commonly used are :

- PKT3 – Designed by Peter K Thomas. Rounded cone-shaped burnisher.

- Beavetail condenser—narrow type of burnisher.

 - Ovoid burnisher—comes in various sizes such as 28, 29, 31. Uses • Final
condensation of amalgam • Initial shaping of occlusal anatomy of amalgam

Handpieces

• Handpiece is a device for holding rotating instrument, transmitting power to it

and positioning it intraorally.

• First “dental engine” was developed in 1871 by Dr James B Morrison. It was

adapted from sewing machine concept.
• In 1957, the Borden, Airotor was developed as the prototype for today’s modern
air-turbine handpiece. Electrically driven handpieces were introduced in the 1970s.

Types

Contra-angle:

• In this, head of handpiece is first angled away from and then back towards the
long axis of the handle.

Because of this design, bur head lies close to long axis of the handle of handpiece
which improve accessibility, visibility and stability of handpiece while working.

Air-rotor contra-angle handpiece:

 It gets power from the compressed air supplied by the compressor.

 This handpiece has high speed and low torque (Fig. 6.59).

 Speed range is 1,00,000 to 3,00,000 rpm. Used for tooth preparation and
removal of old restorations.

 Operates with friction grip burs and diamonds.

Micromotor:

 It gets power from electric micromotor or airmotor.

 It has high torque and low speed (Fig. 6.60).

 Used for finishing and polishing procedures.

Straight:

• In straight handpiece, long axis of burlies in same plane as long axis of handpiece.
• Can be attached to micromotor or airmotor.
• It is used in oral surgical and laboratory procedures (Fig. 6.61). Table 6.2
summarises rotary speed ranges in operative dentistry with their advantages and
disadvantages.

Cla
Classifications of Burs

• According to their mode of attachment to the handpiece:

o Latch type

o Friction grip type

• According to their composition:

o Stainless steel burs

o Tungsten carbide burs

o A combination of both

• According to their motion:

o Right bur: A right bur is one which cuts when it revolves clockwise.

o Left bur: A left bur is one which cuts when revolving anticlockwise.

• According to the length of their head:

o Long

o Short

o Regular

 According to their use:

o Cutting burs

o Finishing burs

o Polishing burs

• According to their shapes:

o Round bur

o Inverted cone
 o Pear-shaped

o Wheel shaped

o Tapering fissure

o Straight fissure

o End cutting bur

Following are the parts of a bur (Fig. 6.63):

• Shank: Shank is that part of the bur that fits into

the handpiece, accepts the rotary movement
from the handpiece and controls the alignment
and concentricity of the instrument.

The three commonly seen instrument shanks are:

- Straight handpiece shank

- Latch type handpiece shank

- Friction grip handpiece shank.

• Neck: The neck connects the shank to the hand. Main function of neck is to
transmit rotational and translational forces to the head.

 Head: It is working part of the instrument. Based upon their head

characteristics, the instruments can be bladed or abrasive. These aravailable
in different sizes and shapes.

Different designs of bur shank neck and head.

• Shank design: Depending upon mode of attachment to handpiece, shanks of burs

can be of following types (Fig. 6.64):

i. Straight handpiece shank: – Shank part is like a cylinder into which bur is
held with a metal chuck which has different sizes of shank diameter

ii. Latch type angle handpiece shank:

 - Here, posterior portion of shank is made flat on one side so that end
of bur fits into D-shaped socket at bottom of bur tube.

- Instrument is not retained in handpiece with chuck but with a latch

which fits into the grooves made in shank of bur.

- These instruments are commonly used in contraangle handpiece for

finishing and polishing procedures.

iii. Friction grip angle handpiece shank:

- It is introduced for high speed handpiece.

- Here the shank is simple cylinder which is held in the handpiece by

friction between shank and metal chuck.

- Here shank is much smaller than latch type instruments.

• Design of neck: Neck connects head and shank. It is tapered from shank to the
head. For optical visibility and efficiency of bur, dimensions of neck should be small
but at the same time it should not compromise the strength.

• Design of bur head: The term ‘bur shape’ refers to the contour or silhouette of
the bur head (Figs 6.65 to 6.67).

 Round bur:

- Spherical in shape

- Used for removal of caries, extension of the preparation and for the
placement of retentive grooves.
 Inverted cone bur:

- It has flat base and sides tapered

towards shank.

- - Used for establishing wall

angulations and providing
undercuts in tooth preparations.

 Pear-shaped bur:

- Head is shaped like tapered cone with

small end of cone directed towards
shank.

- Used in class I tooth preparation for

gold foil.

- A long length pear bur is used for tooth

preparation for amalgam.

 Straight fissure bur:

- It is parallel sided cylindrical bur of different

lengths and is used for amalgam tooth
preparations.

 Tapering fissure bur:

- It is tapered sided cylindrical but sides

tapering towards tip and is used for inlay and
crown preparations.

 End cutting bur:

- It is used for carrying the preparation apically without axial reduction.

Bur design: Bur head consists of uniformly spaced blades with concave areas
in between them. These concave depressed areas are called chip or flute
spaces. Normally, a bur has 6, 8, or 10 numbers of blades (Fig. 6.68).
 • Bur blade: Blade is a projection on the
bur head which forms a cutting edge.
Blade has two surfaces (Fig. 6.69)

o Blade face/Rake face: It is

the surface of bur blade on
the leading edge.

o Clearance face: It is the

surface of bur blade on the
trailing edge.

• Rake angle: This is angle between the rake face and the radial line (Fig. 6.70).

– Positive rake angle: When rake face trails the radial line.

– Negative rake angle: When rake face is ahead of radial

line

CONCLUSION

 From a biological perspective, root canal treatment is directed toward the

elimination of micro-organisms from the root canal system and the prevention
of reinfection.

 Technological advances in the form of rotary NiTi instruments have led to

dramatic improvements in the ability to shape root canals with potentially fewer
procedural complications.