Yes, 1-File Endo Is Possible

Even after Dr. Reid Pullen agreed to try Reciproc Blue, he was skeptical. As an experienced endodontist, he couldn’t believe it was possible to use just one file for a root canal—even though some of his European friends had been talking up the system for years. They convinced him to give it a try after it was released in North America last year, and it didn’t take him long to realize that 1-file endo is, indeed, possible.

“They told me this is one of the coolest, craziest file shaping systems you’ll ever use, and they were right,” Dr. Pullen said. “When you perform endodontics or do a root canal, you usually need 4 or 5 different files to get  down to length. Now, a lot of times I can just use the Reciproc Blue file—I don’t even need a hand file.”

Every file shaping system has its “own language, its own feel,” Dr. Pullen said, so it took a few weeks for him to adjust to Reciproc Blue. But after he did, he fell in love with the file and how much easier it made endodontics.

For Dr. Pullen, the file really shines in simple to medium difficulty cases. It’s also great for retreatments, he said.

“Reciproc Blue is extremely fast and efficient,” he said. “It’s plug and play; you place it into the canal and then you start shaping.”

The Technique

Reciproc Blue files require a “controlled push,” Dr. Pullen said, a technique that, while simple, can break other files.  But Reciproc Blue’s reciporacting cutting motion and release to advance the file reduce the likelihood of fracturing.

The reciprocating file is powered by the X-Smart Pro+ motor, which is designed specifically for Dentsply Sirona files and features a built-in apex locator—a feature Dr. Pullen loves.

“I was amazed this file could advance down the canal even without the use of a hand file, and the motor with the combined shaping and apex locator tells you when you get to the apex,” he said. “Endo is hard, root canals are hard, and this just makes the process easy.”

Endo, Simplified

Reciproc Blue is a great file system for GPs, Dr. Pullen said, because it simplifies the entire protocol. There are fewer instruments for them to deal with on the tray, and they know both the file and motor will be ready to go when it’s time to start the procedure—not a bad perk for experienced endodontists, either.

With the Reciproc Blue files and corresponding X-Smart Pro+ motor, Dr. Pullen feels like “his life is less complicated now.” Procedures aren’t nearly as stressful and don’t take as big of a toll on his body as they once did.

“I can shape an anterior tooth in 50 seconds with just one file. And the motor gives you the working length in real time,” he said. “It just makes things simple for both GPs and endodontists.”