In the last 30 years, since the introduction of mechanical root canal treatment in Hungary, many companies have developed a variety of needle systems, and dentists have been flooded with products and information. The over-supply and the rapid development made many people, including myself, dizzy and difficult to know which type was right for what. In this short guide, we'll give you a summary of what to use, when to use it.
Shenzen Superline Technology Co., which we represent, is the only company in the world that manufactures mechanical root canal treatment needles equivalent to most types of needle systems from the most well-known brands (Dentsply, VDW, Micro-Mega). It has been manufacturing dental NiTi instruments under the NIC® brand for 17 years and has been a registered trademark and innovator in endodontics for 7 years. They offer a good value for money product for 34 different systems.
Today, endodontics has evolved so much that we have to move beyond the idea that one mechanical needle system is good for all canals to be treated.
As they vary greatly in length, thickness and curvature, we need to change a minimum of 3-4 needle systems frequently to achieve an efficient, fast and safe treatment.
Let's see which of our recommended needle systems is the best choice for our most difficult procedures and canal shapes:
(for more information, click on the product names in the product descriptions)
1. Root filling removal:
- O-file
- O+ file( =Protaper Universal Retreatment)
2. Duct inlet cleaning:
- Gates-glidden,
- Peeso Reamer,
- SX needle for U-files
3. channel pre-expansion, "path to the top" design:
- PRG file (=Proglider),
- T+ file,
- W+ Tunnel file
4. full channel widening with Crown-Down technique:
A) in wide, slightly curved channels (below 15°)
- 15° in small diameters, with small diameters (15 to 15°)
- U-file (Protaper Universal)
- U+ file (Protaper Gold)
- X-file (Protaper next)
- X+ file
- reciprok
- W-file (Waveone)
- W+ file (Waveone gold)
- V-file (Reciproc)
- V+ file
B) in narrower, more curved channels (between 15-35°)
- rotary motion
- U-blue
- X-blue
- KM-blue
- reciproc
- W-blue
- V-blue (Reciproc-blue)
C) in narrow and highly curved channels (above 35°)
- X-gray
Now we just have to decide whether we prefer circular motion (U, X, PRG, O, T, A files) or reciprocal motion (V-, W-files) and we have reduced the product range to a well-defined product range.
Our manufacturer consistently labels the sequence of its developments with the same symbols and colours:
- generation: a letter followed by the word file only (colours: silver)
- Generation: systems preceded by a + sign (gold = gold colour).
- generation: - blue suffix (blue colour)
- generation: - grey suffix (brownish-grey colour)
This is a very user-friendly solution, because it is often a problem for the assistant or dentist to separate the different needles after sterilisation, disinfection or use.
As we move forward through the generations, the needle becomes more flexible, longer lasting, "gentler" to rotate, safer and more respectful of the channel shape, and more minimally invasive ("memorable").
For all our Nickel-Titanium needles, we supply a custom sized gutta-percha and paper pouch for faster and better drying.
Dr. Tibor Handa
dentist and founder of the Stirring Beak Webshop
Downloadable catalogues:
NIC Endo Catalogue (Full range)
