Dentsply Pathfile Root Canal Rotary Dental Files

The PathFile system comprises 3 rotary NiTi instruments, available in lengths 21, 25, and 31 mm (Fig. 1). The taper of all the instruments is .02 and the tip diameters are: PathFile 1 (violet) tip ISO 13, PathFile 2 (white) tip ISO 16, PathFile 3 (yellow) tip ISO 19. (note: ISO 3630-1 (active part) and ISO 1797-1 (handle).
The most significant features of these excellent new instruments are:
•Strength
•Flexibility
•Safety

Sequence

Easy Canal   - i.e. Size 15 file goes to length
Just the Size 3 (0.19) PathFile is needed.
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Normal Canal

1. Establish Patency with size 8, then 10 Hand Files.

2. Create glide path with Pathfiles 1, 2, 3 (.13, .16, .19) to 0.0 0.0 means Working Length, as established by an Electronic Apex locator - EAL. . (But it is also OK to go to +1.0, to maintain apical patency.)
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Tight Canal

1. Explore with size 8, then 10 Hand Files. (May not reach length.)

2. Step Back with PathFiles 1, 2, 3 (.13, .16, .19) at 1mm increments from the size 10 length.

3. Use Protaper S1 to length of P3. This will improve access.

4. Retry 08, 10 Hand Files to length.

5. Proceed with Pathfiles as per normal canal
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After Pathfiles have created Glide Path:

Establish EAL length (0.0).