Abstract

Endodontic success depends primarily on biomechanical preparation. Establishing a Glide path is an important step during cleaning and shaping, which determines and maintains the canal patency till the apex and subsequently aids in achieving a good obturation. It is of prime importance that we slip, slide, and glide through the canal so that the root canal system is three-dimensionally patent to facilitate the movement of rotary instruments for cleaning and shaping. The preparation of a glide path not only helps to reduce the risk of instrument separation but also conveys to the clinician an intimate knowledge of the tortuous anatomy of the canal from the orifice to the terminus. The information gained during glide path preparation enables clinicians to adapt their shaping strategy to the nuances of the anatomy of each individual canal. While novel mechanical methods of glide path preparation serve to increase the efficiency of this essential prerequisite of canal shaping, the role of hand instruments should not be overlooked. Regarding the kind of files to be employed for glide path preparation, the question should not be "manual versus mechanical" but rather "manual, then mechanical." The intent of this poster is to look at the various glide path systems available and assess their design characteristics and shaping ability. Manual Glide systems such as Path File (Dentsply), C pilot files (VDW, Germany), C Plus files (Maillefer/Dentsply), and Pathfinder CS (SybronEndo) along with Rotary Pathfinders ProGlider (Maillefer/Dentsply), OneG (Micro–Mega) and HyFlex
EDM Glide path (Coltene) will be discussed.

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