Kim Loos, DDS Dr. Kimberly A. Loos practices general dentistry in San Jose, California. She is also a clinical instructor at University of Pacific School of Dentistry and an editor for Dentistry On-Line. There are actually quite a number of instruments used in the course of performing a root canal. The first objective is to find the canals. Anterior teeth generally have one canal or sometimes two canals.
Premolars have one, two, and sometimes three canals.
Molars generally have 3 or 4 canals. Each canal must be located and cleaned for the root canal to be successful. An endodontic explorer helps to locate the canals. Generally, prior to obtaining the access cavity, a rubber dam is placed over the tooth. This is a square piece of latex material.