Root canal preparation method

An improved endodontic procedure for preparation of root canals in teeth comprising the use of selected endodontic instruments such as files or burs in a prescribed series of steps. These steps include using a series of successively smaller instruments in a first crown-down procedure, using the instruments in a reverse sequence in a serial step-back procedure, followed by finishing the preparation of the canal with selected instruments in a second crown-down procedure. Conventional root canal files of standard taper or variably-tapered files may be used in the practice of the method.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention. 
The present invention relates generally to endodontic procedures and 
methods for enlarging and shaping the root canals of teeth in preparation 
for filling and sealing. 
2. Description of the Related Art. 
A relatively common but often difficult dental procedure is the cleaning, 
shaping and filling of the root canal of a patient's tooth. In the 
performance of a root canal procedure, a hole is first cut in the crown or 
exposed portion of the tooth, typically either in the biting surface of 
the tooth, for posterior teeth, or in the side of the tooth on the 
interior of the jaw for incisor teeth. Small endodontic instruments known 
generally as root canal files are then used to clean out the material 
present in the root canal, and to impart a tapered shape to the root canal 
so that filling material may be fully inserted into the root canal to 
thoroughly seal it. 
For a great many years, the preparation of root canals has been achieved 
with the use of files of standard taper. Conventionally when a root canal 
is being cleaned and shaped, a series of files having increasing diameters 
is used to gradually enlarge the root canal. The files are held between 
the thumb and forefinger of one hand by the dentist. Each file in a set of 
the known prior art has an identical taper from one end to the other. For 
example, in a typical K-type file set the taper is 0.32 millimeters on 
every file over the standard 16 mm length of cutting flutes, or 0.02 mm of 
taper/mm of flute length. This taper is sometimes referred to as a 
standard ISO (International Standards Organization) taper. Although these 
file sets have identical tapers, they come in a number of sizes. The size 
number characterizing the file is the diameter of the file at the tip in 
hundredths of a millimeter, and the diameter of the file at the large end 
is thus 0.32 millimeters greater than this tip diameter. A complete set 
will include sizes 06, 08, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 70, 
80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, and 140, while sizes 08-60 will typically be 
used. Some manufacturers make certain half-sizes, or off-standard sizes. 
Hedstrom-type instruments similarly come in sets of increasing size, 
typically from 0.10 to 1.40 millimeter tip size, with 0.15-0.60 millimeter 
tip sizes being most commonly used. Both the K-type and Hedstrom files 
manufactured to ISO standards, whether twisted or lathe-cut, have flute 
pitches and frequencies which vary little or none in some sizes (large), 
but quite a bit in other sizes (small). 
One specific procedure for preparing a root canal by using a series of root 
canal files having decreasing size to clean out the material present in 
the root canal is known as the "Crown-Down" technique. This technique was 
developed at the Oregon Health Sciences University Graduate Endodontic 
Program. It involves proceeding from the top of the tooth, the crown, down 
toward the root canal terminus employing a series of successively smaller 
burs and files. 
The crown-down technique has been found to be prone to the formation of 
undesirable apical ledging. Apical ledging occurs when the tip of a file 
does not follow the curvature of the root canal and instead bores a 
passage branching out from the root canal. An example is shown in the 
accompanying FIG. 2A at 24. The occurrence of apical ledging often 
requires surgical correction. 
Schilder in U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,138 describes step-back shaping with 
multiple recapitulations through a series of instruments, each time from 
small to large. This technique is referred to as serial step-back shaping. 
The serial step-back technique is, at best, a difficult and time-consuming 
method, as the dentist must indirectly gauge the rate of taper in the root 
canal preparation by the distance interval of step-back of the 
progressively larger instruments as they fit further back from the canal 
terminus. Accordingly, a steep learning curve is associated with this 
technique. 
Both of these prior art techniques, crown-down and serial step-back, have 
attendant disadvantages of requiring numerous repetitive steps (as many as 
50 steps) and requiring the use of a large number of instruments 
(approximately 18) in order to achieve a satisfactory final result. In 
addition, the skills required to create conservative but adequately 
tapered shapes in root canals are usually developed only after treating 
hundreds of clinical cases. Finally, these prior art methods are extremely 
time-consuming and therefore expensive for the practitioner. 
In order to reduce the risk of apical ledging, the initial crown-down 
technique was modified by the inventor by adding subsequent steps 
employing a series of successively larger files to step-back from the 
canal terminus. This modified technique is referred to as the 
"Crown-Down/Step-Back" technique. 
As practiced, both the crown-down and serial step-back procedures generally 
employ root canal files of fixed taper. In my prior patent application 
Ser. No. 08/234,290, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference 
herein, I disclosed an endodontic treatment system involving variably 
tapered files and matching variably tapered auxiliary implements and 
preparation materials which present substantial advantages over the 
standard fixed taper files. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In response to the disadvantages inherent in known prior art methods, I 
have developed the crown-down/step-back/crown-down method of the present 
invention. One particular method in accordance with my invention involves 
the steps of initial negotiation and crown-down shaping in a first shaping 
wave. This is followed by apical step-back preparation in a second shaping 
wave and concludes with crown-down shaping as a third shaping wave. An 
optional last step involves post-shape cleaning. In each of the steps 
during the succeeding shaping waves, appropriate file selection is 
performed according to the anatomy of the root and root canal being 
prepared. 
The crown-down/step-back/crown-down method of my invention is usually 
appropriate for canals in small roots. However, the technique is often 
completed more rapidly in large unoccluded canals. In marked contrast to 
known prior art methods, the present method requires only between one and 
eight instruments and can usually be completed in one to four minutes. 
Although not recommended, it is sometimes possible in the case of large 
root canals that a single larger taper file can cut the full shape of the 
canal with just a single instrument. 
The disadvantages and limitations of the background art are overcome by the 
present invention. The present invention differs significantly and 
advantageously from the root canal cleaning and shaping technology 
discussed above in numerous respects. 
Instead of indirectly creating a tapering canal preparation with the 
difficult-to-learn, difficult-to-practice and time-consuming serial 
step-back shaping technique widely used in the profession, the present 
invention allows full root canal shaping to be accomplished with a reduced 
number of instruments in substantially less time. 
In the practice of the method of the present invention, an initial 
negotiation step involves the introduction of small files to the end of a 
root canal system and removal of all pulp remnants prior to crown-down 
shaping. Following the initial negotiation step, different files of choice 
may be used including conventional K-files, greater taper files (ranging 
from 0.06 to 0.12 taper), 0.04 taper ProFiles (a registered trademark of 
Dentsply/Tulsa Dental, Inc.) and even a Gates-Glidden bur for opening the 
canal at the orifice level. In the selection of GT.TM. files of greater 
taper, files are chosen to match canal size and curvature. For example, a 
0.06 file is chosen for extremely thin and/or curved roots. A 0.08 file is 
chosen for lower anteriors, multi-rooted pre-molars, mesial roots of lower 
molars and buccal roots of upper molars. A 0.10 file is selected for 
palatal roots of upper molars and distal roots of lower molars, single 
canalled pre-molars, lower canines and upper anteriors. A 0.12 file is 
used for large canals in large roots. 
During the crown-down shaping step, each of the selected variably-tapered 
files is permitted to cut to its own depth, without being forced. The 
first crown-down wave of shaping is ideally done with one or more GT.TM. 
greater taper files, but may also be accomplished with engine-driven 0.04 
taper files. 
In the second shaping wave, an apical step-back preparation is achieved 
with one of several choices of instruments, all with successively lesser 
tapers to insure that they bind primarily at their tips. 
When using GT.TM. files in the initial crown-down shaping step, the ideal 
time to begin the step-back apical preparation is after one of the GT.TM. 
files has advanced to within 1 to 2 mm of the apical terminus. 
Variations of the method described to this point may be adapted so that 
conventional 0.02 tapered K-files may be used during the apical step-back 
preparation step as well as the 0.04 taper files previously described. 
In the final crown-down shaping step, an appropriate GT.TM. shaping file is 
used to extend the canal preparation to the terminus, to insure a 
consistent taper from that terminus to the coronal extent of preparation 
taper. 
The method of the present invention enables practitioners to consistently 
and ideally shape 95-98% of the root canals treated. In marked contrast to 
the approximately 50 steps and approximately 18 instruments, and 12-30 
min. of procedural time required for the described prior art method, the 
present invention requires the use of only one to eight shaping 
instruments, one to 13 steps, and can usually be performed in one to four 
minutes. 
By enabling the practitioner to achieve satisfactory root canal 
preparations without the use of Gates-Glidden burs, the risk of root 
perforations is virtually eliminated. A root perforation occurs when too 
large a bur or file is advanced too far into a curved root canal, and as a 
result cuts through the side of the root into the adjacent tissue. An 
example of a root perforation produced by use of too large a bur 
improperly placed is shown in FIG. 2B. The occurrence of a root 
perforation often necessitates the extraction of the tooth. By rendering 
the use of burs unnecessary, the practice of the present invention greatly 
increases the ease and safety of preparing root canals. 
The recent introduction of my files of taper greater than ISO has made 
possible the complete shaping and preparation of a root canal using 
substantially fewer instruments than was previously thought possible. 
Extensive research and development of files of greater taper, so-called 
GT.TM. files (GT is a trademark of Dentsply/Tulsa Dental, Inc. of Tulsa, 
Okla.) and the methods associated with their use have led to the 
development and refinement of the methods of the present invention. 
In addition to the greatly improved ease and simplicity of shaping root 
canals afforded by the present invention, these methods provide, for the 
first time, a pre-defined shape throughout the full length of the root 
canal. One of the most important advantages provided by pre-defined root 
canal preparations is the resultant ability to optimize cleaning, 
irrigating, drying and subsequent filling procedures in root canal 
systems. 
However, applying conventional techniques to the recently introduced files 
of greater taper resulted, in certain root forms, in practitioners 
experiencing file breakage in the apical regions of the root canal. The 
present methods virtually eliminate the risk of canal ledging and file 
breakage in the apical regions of the root canal. 
Simplifying and standardizing the preparation of root canals is one of the 
objects of the present invention. Another object of the present invention 
is to enable practitioners to achieve consistently ideal root canal 
shaping results with less training and experience than are required by 
conventional methods. As a result, the quality of overall endodontic care 
is greatly improved.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1A shows a tooth 10 located in the bone 12 of a jaw. The tooth 10 in 
FIG. 1A is an incisor, and the opening in the crown of the tooth 10 is cut 
on the side of the tooth 10 in the interior side of the jaw (not shown), 
which opening is generally indicated at 14. The tooth 10 has a nerve canal 
16 extending to the tip of the tooth 10 which is embedded in the bone 12. 
FIG. 1B shows a file 20 inserted into root canal 16, which has been 
enlarged from the view depicted in FIG. 1A. With conventional files, the 
step-back prior art technique discussed above is used, with each 
progressively larger file being inserted shallower and shallower into the 
root canal 16. The numbers along the root canal 16 near the tip (or 
apical) end of the root canal 16 represent the maximum extent to which 
different size files are inserted, with file sizes from 10 to 60 
(representing tip diameters from 0.10 mm to 0.60 mm) being used. A minimum 
of 9 to 11 files are required, with 15 to 17 instruments more frequently 
being necessary. 
FIG. 2A shows how the conventional wisdom of the prior art crown-down 
technique teaches directly away from the methods of the present invention. 
The prior art crown-down technique greatly increases the risk of apical 
ledging and/or perforation (illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively). 
The methods of the present invention move in a direction 180.degree. away 
from the teachings of the prior art. The crown-down/step-back/crown-down 
method of the present invention enables practitioners to create a 
pre-defined standardized taper in most root canals without increasing the 
risk of apical ledging or file breakage in apical canal regions. 
FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating in general the steps of the method 
of my invention. More detailed procedures with variations of some of the 
steps are shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3B, 4, 5 and 6. 
The crown-down/step-back/crown-down method depicted in FIG. 3A involves 
first, second and third shaping waves corresponding respectively to each 
of the three major steps. In the first shaping wave, the method 100 
includes an initial negotiation step 102 preceding the first crown-down 
shaping step 104. During the initial negotiation step 102, there is a 
selection of files, designated 103, to be used in the step 102. Another 
selection of files, designated 105, is associated with the initial 
crown-down shaping step 104. 
In the second shaping wave, the apical step-back preparation step 106 is 
performed, again with a selection of files, designated 107, for performing 
the step-back preparation. In the third shaping wave the second crown-down 
shaping step 108 is performed in which there is again a selection of 
files, designated 109. Finally, if appropriate, the post-shape cleaning is 
performed in accordance with the instructions for practicing the method 
100. 
The flowchart of FIG. 3B illustrates the procedural flow, proceeding from 
left to right, of the three main steps 104, 106, 108 of the preferred 
method of the invention. This flowchart shows more particular details of 
the first, second and third shaping waves of the method of FIG. 3A and 
includes the initial negotiation step 102. In FIG. 3B, the initial 
negotiation step 102 is principally performed utilizing conventional 
K-files 120 in sizes from 08F to 15F, taking the negotiation files to the 
terminus of the root canal, in some instances past the canal terminus 122 
into the patency zone 124 or beyond. Then a size 6 Gates-Glidden bur 126 
is used at the orifice level 128 of canals to finish the access 
preparation and flare the orifice for easier introduction of instruments 
and materials to follow. 
In the crown-down shaping step 104 following initial negotiation 102, a 
series of 0.04 taper ProFiles.RTM. 130 may be used, beginning with a No. 8 
and proceeding to a No. 2 with penetration into different depths of the 
root as indicated. The No. 2 ProFile.RTM. is shown extending past the 
canal terminus 122 to the end of the patency zone 124. In this crown-down 
shaping step 104, if GT.TM. files are used, smaller ones 132 (0.06 or 
0.08) would be selected for smaller roots, whereas larger ones 134 (0.10 
or 0.12) would be selected for larger roots. 
In the step-back apical gauging and tuning step 106 of the second shaping 
wave as indicated in FIG. 3B, a series of 0.04 taper ProFiles.RTM. 130 may 
be used in reverse order to the crown-down step 104, beginning with No. 3 
and successively stepping back from the canal terminus through Nos. 4, 5 
and 6. A 10F patency file 136 may also be used in conjunction with the 
ProFiles.RTM. 130 as the first file used in the step-back procedure in 
order to make sure the canal terminus is clear of debris which might be 
compacted by the other files. 
In the second crown-down shaping step 108 of FIG. 3B, third shaping wave, 
an appropriate GT.TM. file 134 is used to extend the tapered preparation 
shape to the canal terminus. 
Finally, the optional post-shape cleaning step 110 may follow the last 
crown-down shaping step 108, irrigating with NaOCl after the shape is 
finished in order that the total irrigation time is at least 30 minutes. 
The flowchart of FIG. 4 is much the same as the flowchart of FIG. 3B, 
illustrating the crown-down/step-back/crown-down method of the invention 
with the exception that a series of conventional K-files 120 may be used 
in the step-back apical gauging and tuning step 106, second shaping wave, 
in place of the ProFiles.RTM. 130 shown in FIG. 3B. In FIG. 4, the K-files 
120 used in the step-back step 106 proceed in succession from 15F through 
20F, 25F, 30F and 35F with diminishing penetration of the files in 
negotiating the root canal in this step. 
In the flowchart of FIG. 5 representing the method of the invention as a 
variant of FIG. 3A, the same series of files in the initial negotiation 
step 102 is used as listed in the chart of FIG. 3B. The crown-down shaping 
step 104 is the same as in FIG. 3B except that the ProFiles.RTM. 130 are 
replaced by greater taper rotary files 136, fewer in number. The apical 
gauging and tuning step 106 and the crown-down shaping step 108 in FIG. 5 
are the same as in FIG. 3B. 
Finally, the flowchart of FIG. 6 shows the method of the invention as a 
variant of the method represented in FIG. 5 wherein the same series of 
files (conventional K-files) or Gates-Glidden burs is used in the initial 
negotiation step 102. The initial crown-down shaping step following 
initial negotiation in the first shaping wave is essentially the same 
also. The step-back apical gauging and tuning step 106 of the second 
shaping wave is also similar to that of the step 106 depicted in FIG. 5 
except that a series of conventional K-files 120 is substituted for the 
ProFiles.RTM. 130 of FIG. 5. In the variant of the method represented in 
FIG. 6, an appropriate GT hand file 134 is used in place of the rotary 
file of the final crown-down step 108 of FIG. 5, along with the patency 
file No. 15F as indicated in FIG. 5. This technique is characterized by 
the use of hand files in the more curved apical regions of canals. 
As shown and described in the above-discussed variations of the root canal 
preparation method of the invention, the present invention employs a 
series of files in a crown-down pre-enlargement subroutine to create ideal 
access to the fragile and often tortuous apical region of a canal. The 
tapered file is used to cut to a distance just short of the full root 
canal length. After the tapered file has been advanced to within 
approximately 1 to 2 mm of the root canal terminus, the tapered file is 
disengaged and the apical step back preparation is performed with optimal 
control owing to pre-enlargement of the first crown-down subroutine. The 
apical step-back procedure may be performed with any instrument series of 
choice; for example, a 0.02 or 0.04 tapered file series, used by hand 
manipulation or by handpiece power. The key factor in selection of 
instruments for this step-back subroutine is that they have less taper 
than the pre-enlarged canal shape. 
After the apical step-back preparation is completed, the tapered file is 
again introduced to cut to the full length of the root canal. This is the 
second and final crown-down portion of the method. Practice of the 
disclosed methods of the invention provides a root canal having a 
pre-defined standardized taper extending all the way to the root canal 
terminus. Completion of the thus-prepared root canal with the pre-defined 
standardized taper is vastly simplified by using irrigation cannulas, 
condensation heat carriers and other instruments as well as paper points, 
gutta percha filling materials, and other auxiliary items, all having the 
same standardized taper. 
Although there have been described hereinabove various specific 
arrangements of a ROOT CANAL PREATION METHOD in accordance with the 
invention for the purpose of illustrating the manner in which the 
invention may be used to advantage, it will be appreciated that the 
invention is not limited thereto. Accordingly, any and all modifications, 
variations or equivalent arrangements which may occur to those skilled in 
the art should be considered to be within the scope of the invention as 
defined in the annexed claims.