Dental protapers are an evolution of the world's most popular nickel titanium endodontic appliance system that meets the requirements of all modern dentists in all clinical circumstances. The cutting part of these elements is made of nickel-titanium alloy. Protapers are truly unique and extremely flexible files of the latest generation. They make it possible to carry out the operation even on root canals, which are extremely difficult to classical treatment with instruments.
Features
Both manual and machine protapers have significant differences from the root files used earlier by dentists, which are also called drills. True, in defense of the latter it is worth saying that they had certain limits of possibilities.
The very shape of the tool required increased attention during operation - the risk of breakage was very high. That is why it was dangerous to make circular movements with the drills.
But the use of improvedprotapers in dentistry makes it possible to significantly reduce the arsenal of files used for processing root sections. In addition, these tools significantly reduce the risk of tooth perforation and breakage of the device itself. After all, unlike their predecessors, protapers have the shape of an evenly tapering cone.
Ultra-flexibility combined with the strength of these tools is provided by:
- nickel-titanium alloy from which the files are made;
- cone-shaped section with convex sides, which reduces the area and time of contact of the blade to the treated surfaces, while guaranteeing complete safety of the operation;
- multi-stage cutting element that allows the device to remove a minimum layer of tissue, reducing the risk of jamming of the instrument and obturation of the dental canal.
Pros and cons
Due to their device, protapers in dentistry:
- give the treated area a configuration in which the root canal evenly narrows towards the apex;
- ensure the processing of channels of the most complex shape.
In addition, the latest generation files have other advantages:
- obvious sequence of use due to multi-colored markings;
- high speed of the operation, since you need to use a set of only three devices;
- The rounded tip of the instrument provides absolute safety and the ability to operate the canal based on tactile sensations.
But protapers, in addition to many advantages, also have some disadvantages:
- inability to process canals with a wide apical foramen (more than 30th size in diameter) - there is no larger instrument;
- restriction regarding the depth of the operated cavity - up to a maximum of 31 mm;
- lack of an obstruction prevention mechanism - a smeared layer remains on the canal walls, which prevents the introduction of medications for treatment.
Shaping Protapers
What are these instruments used in dentistry for? There are several types of protaper files, each of which is designed to perform a specific manipulation. So, shaping tools are used to give the root canal the desired shape. This group includes protapers Sx, S2 and S1.
Files of this type are used both for operating short canals and for giving the necessary shape to the coronal section of long prostheses. The end of the cutting part has a diameter of 0.19 mm, and at the base this figure is 1.2 mm.
- Sx protapers are 19mm long and taper more than other varieties. It is noteworthy that it grows from 0.35 mm to 19 mm, and then decreases to 0.2 mm.
- Protapers S1 are designed to operate on the upper third of the canal. The device is available in two types - 21 mm and 25 mm long. The tip diameter reaches 0.17 mm, and the taper increases throughout the entire cutting element from 0.2 to 11.
- Protapers S2 are used to prepare the second third of the canal and also have a length of either 21 mm or 25 mm. The tip diameter is 0.2mm, and the taper gradually increases from 0.04mm to 0.115mm.
Finishing Protapers
Files of this type are intended for the final design of the lower third of the canal. In dentistry, machine protapers with protocols F1, F2 and F3 are also used to widen and flatten the midsection. There are also only three tools in this set.
File tip diameter of F1 is 0.2mm, F2 is 0.25mm and F3 is 0.3mm. It is noteworthy that all these devices have a fixed taper - 0.7, 0.8 and 0.9%, respectively. Finishing Protapers are more flexible.
For manual application
Such protapers in dentistry are used for the same operations as machine tools, and also have an alphanumeric name.
In the standard set there are 6 devices with multi-colored markings, depending on their technical characteristics:
- Sx - orange;
- S1 - purple;
- S2 - white;
- F1 - yellow;
- F2 - red;
- F3 - blue.
In dentistry, Sx manual protapers are represented by one model with a length of 19 mm. The length of the cutting element for all other files is 25 mm or 31 mm.
F5 and F4 manual protocols with 25mm active area are used forinitial and final root canal treatment.
Instructions for the use of protapers in dentistry
These instruments are used exclusively in clinical settings by dentists only. What are protapers used for? They are essential for cleaning and shaping root canals.
The first step is to create a direct access to the mouth of the root canal. To do this, the top of the pulp chamber and excess dentinal tissue, which protrudes along the edges, is removed. Then the walls are smoothed inside to provide easier access to the mouth. In this case, all existing interference should be removed.
These manipulations are necessary for normal visibility of the mouth without changing the position of the mirror. The tool should enter the mouth without obstacles and slide easily along the smooth walls of the pulp cavity.
How protapers are used in dentistry:
- After detecting the mouth, passive surface treatment is carried out with a manual file of the 15th number until resistance occurs.
- When making sweeping movements with the shaping protaper S1, you should go deep for the entire length of the protocol.
- Then, using the S2 protaper, it is necessary to achieve the passage of the canal for the entire length of the cutting part.
- With the help of the finishing file F1, you should progressively move along the channel until the entire length of the cone is reached.
- The hole is calibrated using hand-held protapers of suitable diameter.
- If you need additional extension, you can use the tools marked F4, F2, F5,F3.
- Proteaper Sx is used to remove dentin from the mouth and increase the coronal zone.
Correction devices
A standard set of machine protapers in dentistry consists of three sequentially used instruments with different lengths and tapers of the cutting element. These devices are designed for simple and most convenient teeth filling.
The shortest protaper D1 is used for penetration of the coronal zone, the middle D2 is used for the middle section, and the longest D3 is used for the apex of the canal.
Tools have dark gray handles and are 11 mm long. The algorithm for using them is very simple, besides, each file has markings from one to three white rings.
Application features
Removal of filling compositions from canals is carried out in several stages, taking into account the rules:
- introduce the instrument with slight pressure towards the apex of the tooth;
- device is regularly taken out of the hole to check and clean the channel;
- if there is no progress, a manual protaper is used to remove existing obstacles;
- a certain speed regime should be observed: 600-700 revolutions are needed to remove obturates and gutta-percha, and only 250-300 revolutions are enough to extract compounds containing eugenol and zinc oxide.
Remarkablethat the use of the described protapers is prohibited for the removal of pastes containing polymer.
Recommendations
Protapers of any type may only be used in a clinical setting, by prescription and by qualified dentists.
There are some precautions to keep in mind. So, forbidden:
- reuse of disposable devices;
- use of unproven disinfectant solutions;
- Placing nickel-titanium protocols in sodium hypochlorite solution for more than 5 minutes at a concentration greater than 5%.
Also be aware that nickel-titanium protapers are damaged by exposure to hydrogen peroxide. Also, do not use alkaline and acid solutions when working with files - they also negatively affect the condition of the devices.
It is necessary to clean, disinfect and sterilize instruments with strict observance of all the rules developed by the manufacturers of devices. The same applies to compliance with a certain algorithm of actions during the operation.
