Step-by-step description of a rotary root canal preparation technique

Clinical technique Since the introduction of nickel-titanium in endodontics , several canal preparation techniques involving the use of rotary instrume nts have become popular. Such engine-driven rotary instruments rotate betwe en 150 and 2000 r.p.m. and may be high or low torque orientated. This paper describes one such engine-driven system called the Profile technique. The instruments are of a different specification to that used for conventional endodontic files and reamers. This paper describes a technique employed by the Division of Endodontology, Zurich Dental School, in a step-by-step proc edure using primarily photographs of radiographs, The intention is to give any interested clinician a better idea of the technique using radiographs t aken from both the buccolingual (clinical) perspective and the mesiodistal projection. Basically, the technique involves preparing the coronal portion of the root canal using Gates-Glidden burs and the Profile instruments, On ly when any constricting coronal parts of the canals have been removed is t he working length established using conventional files. Finally, the apical part of the canal is prepared using only the Profile instruments. Three cl inical cases are also briefly described, in order to illustrate the potenti al of the technique in cases treated generally by clinicians.