Aims of RCT and Root Canal Armamentarium

Question 1

What are the aims of root canal treatment

Answer 1

• Removal and destruction of micro-organisms from complex root canal systems
• Seal root canal system to prevent bacteria re-entering from the coronal end

Question 2

What are the steps of an endodontic treatment in a patient

Answer 2

• Strategic
• Endodontic
• Restorative
• Periodontal

Question 3

What are the functions of a rubber dam

Answer 3

• Prevents inhalation or ingestion
• Prevents infection by saliva
• Enhances access and retracts soft tissues
• Better comfort for patient
• Medico-ledal requirement

Question 4

What are the components of a basic rubber dam kit

Answer 4

• Rubber dam
• Frame
• Punch
• Clamp forceps
• Clamps
• Scissors
• Excavators/flat plastic
• Tweezers
• Floss
• Wedgets
• Oroseal

Question 5

What are the 4 basic methods of dam placement

Answer 5

• Dam attached to winged clamp and applied to tooth together
• Dam stretched over the tooth first and then clamp applied
• Dam placed over bow of wingless clamp and applied to tooth - then dam stretched over clamp
• Clamp on first and stretch dam over clamp

Question 6

Why should you floss the clamp

Answer 6

So that if the clamp fractures you are able to retrieve fragments

Question 7

Ideally what are endodontic instruments made out of

Answer 7

Stainless steel

Question 8

What size endodontic files are there

Answer 8

From 006 to 080, all different colours

006 = 0.06mm etc etc

Question 9

What is the helical angle of endodontic files

Answer 9

This is the angle of the cutting flutes to the long axis of the instrument

Question 10

What is the pitch of endodontic files

Answer 10

Is the cutting flutes per mm.

Question 11

Describe the helical angle and pitch of reamers

Answer 11

• Helical angle is about 10-30 degrees and so is used in rotation movements
• The cutting flutes are not as tightly wound as files so are further apart

Question 12

What are flexofiles made from and describe their structure and helical angle and pitch

Answer 12

• Made from twisted stainless steel blank
• Flexible file with a non-cutting tip
• Have more of a 45 degree helical angle
• Can be used with rotational motion and push pull filing

Question 13

What sizes do flexofiles come in and what are the properties of the other files

Answer 13

• Size 6, 8, 10 cross section = v v flexible, too much sometimes
• Size 15-40 cross section = flexible file
• Size 45-140 = more rigid

Question 14

What are K-flex files made from and describe their structure and use

Answer 14

• Made from twisted stainless steel blank
• Cross sectional shape 2 cutting edges
• Still flexible but more rigid than a flexofile so at the RLH we use in small sizes like 6,8,10
• Cutting tip
• Can be used with rotational motion and push pull filing

Question 15

Describe the structure and use of hedstrom files

Answer 15

• Machined from a stainless steel black
• Tapered intersected cones in a spiral
• Cross sectional shape
• Push pull filing only, not rotational

Question 16

What are the advantages of using nickel titanium files

Answer 16

Have inbuilt taper and can negotiate some curved easily

Question 17

What caution do you need to take if you decide to use nickel titanium files

Answer 17

• Need to be used in skill trained hands and not able to use in all cases and still have to use handful at the beginning of the preparation

Question 18

AY BAWS CAN I HABE DE NOTE PLZ

Answer 18

No instrument should be introduced into the root canal space until the appropriate irritant is introduced into the pulp chamber

Question 19

Name an effective irritgant

Answer 19

• Sodium Hypochlorite
• Chlorhexidine
• EDTA
• Aqueous iodine based compound

Question 20

Why is sodium hypochlorite a good irrigant

Answer 20

• Antibacterial
• Dissolves organic tissue remnants
• Usually used 2.5%

Question 21

What is done to determine the length of the root canal

Answer 21

• Apex locator

- Radiograph