Advertising Spotlight | Parkell
Successful endodontics relies on adhering to some fundamental clinical principles. But in the 1990s, I decided to look for a way to implement rotary instrumentation without giving up my beloved hand files. After much experimentation, I developed a technique in which rotary files are used to widen a canal and hand files are used to advance apically. I refer to it as the “Apical Monitoring Technique.”
This technique has allowed me to produce well-instrumented, well-filled root canals for years. It is fast, easy, and effective and has made my endo procedures productive and quite profitable.
To succeed with this technique, it was necessary to be able to constantly monitor file position during canal debridement, cleaning, and shaping without the distraction of a rubber stop. This is where Parkell’s Foramatron® came in. With the apex locator constantly connected to the file while I instrumented the canals, I was able to achieve real-time monitoring with great speed and accuracy. Using the Foramatron in conjunction with my rotary files proved to have great advantages:
1. I didn’t have to set rubber stops for every file, which made every canal less tedious while saving time.
2. Rubber stops are unreliable: Just a fraction of a millimeter of shifting can cause a block-out of the apex and make the difference between a perfect preparation and an apical perforation.
3. Because the Foramatron has distinct audio sounds while instrumenting, it is easier and more efficient to “listen” for the sound as you are getting closer to the apex. Listening also allows the dentist to sit upright and not have to bend over to keep the rubber stop in sight.
4. Once a file is set up, it can be used in each canal without having to remove and reset the stop. Even if a different size file is needed, there is no rubber stop to set and reference during instrumentation. I do set a rubber stop after instrumentation is finished so I can transfer the final working length to the master cone.
The Foramatron’s reamer holder is clipped on the neck of my rotary file as close as possible to the handpiece. The holder doesn’t interfere with the rotation of the file. With the file rotating slowly, I advance the instrument toward the apex. By going slowly, the Foramatron’s circuitry has time to calculate the shifting position of the file and guide me down the canal.
The best part is that this doesn’t require a huge investment! The combination of using the Foramatron with my air-powered 10:1 contra-angle allowed me to deliver excellent endodontic services to all of my patients. That’s all I can ask for!
For More Information:
For a detailed step-by-step of Dr. Lazaros’ Apical Monitoring Technique, visit www.parkell.com, go to the Knowledge Base and see the full length-article titled “Real-Time Root Canal Using Parkell’s Foramatron Apex Locator.”
