SHAPE AND SIZE OF APICAL PREPARATION – A PIVOTAL OBJECTIVE OF ROOT CANAL TREATMENT IN ORAL REHABILITATION

Abstract

Proper shape and size of apical third of the root canal is pivotal in adequate debridement and disinfection of endodontic system. The apical shaping of the root canal is highly dependent on the anatomical form and topography of the apical constriction. Accurate apical stop performed at apical constriction rather than at the apical foramen should be the main clinical objective. Maintaining the apical patency by recapitulation results in achieving a free access to the apical constriction and a clean apical canal. Apical preparation should be three sizes larger than the first apical binding file as further enlargement did not prove to be more beneficial for the long term prediction. The taper of apical preparation may have at least equal value as its final size.

Keywords

• root canal treatment
• apical preparation
• shape and size