Root canal instrumentation with ProTaper Universal instruments: revisited

A revised technique for the use of ProTaper Universal nickel titanium instruments is described. This modified technique was based on the crown-down principle, in which the ProTaper instruments were rearranged in such a way that each individual instrument was used only once in the sequence. The instrumentation process was carried out in three phases: i) tracking the 'glide-path', ii) coronal shaping and iii) apical finishing. After endodontic access and establishment of the canal patency and glide path, the shaping set of ProTaper instruments (S2, SX & S1, in that order) were used to shape the coronal portion of the root canal. The finishing set (F1, F2, F3, F4 or F5) was then used to accomplish the apical preparation. This revised sequence is a relatively simple method and can be adopted readily by less-experienced operators. The rationale of the instrumentation sequence was also revisited. Keywords: instrumentation, nickel-titanium instrument, ProTaper, technique