Product Evaluation

HENRY SCHEIN

Channels One

Metallurgy technology creates exceptional flexibility and strength in this all-in-one endo file system designed to bolster efficiency

As a longtime user of a brand-name reciprocating file system, general dentist Thomas Morgan, DDS, was admittedly anxious about trying a new system, especially because he performs 15 to 20 root canals a week. And he’s not alone in his apprehension, as most dentists have a go-to endo file. With the prospect of finding “a quality, flexible, more cost-efficient endo file,” Dr. Morgan is thankful he participated in a product review of the Channels One NiTi reciprocating file system, telling DPS, “Channels One definitely left me impressed.”

Manufactured by Insight Endo and distributed exclusively by Henry Schein, the Channels One heat-treated NiTi reciprocating files are designed with quality and efficiency in mind. Proprietary metallurgy technology provides exceptional flexibility and strength and a high resistance to cyclic fatigue. Thanks to the variable tapered file system, which includes corresponding paper points and gutta-percha, procedures are completed quickly and efficiently and with fewer instruments, and only one file is needed to shape the canal.

“For a fraction of the cost of its competitor, the files provided a very smooth cleaning and shaping experience,” said Dr. Morgan, who described Channels One as “more than comparable” to his usual files, with “almost the exact feel and handling.” He added, “The files did an amazing job of cleaning and shaping. I felt very confident about their strength, I wasn’t afraid of breakage, and I never once worried about file separation.” It’s safe to say that Dr. Morgan agrees with Henry Schein’s description of “the One file you need.”

File Design & Selection

Available in 4 sizes—small (20), primary (25), medium (35), and large (45)—and in lengths of 21, 25, and 31 mm, Channels One fi les feature color-coded bands and come with matching gutta-percha and absorbent points. Hoping to find reciprocating files that worked as well as his usual files but with a greater variety of sizes, Dr. Nicholas Nicosia discovered that the Channels One files “worked identically” to his usual system and “were very easy to use and offered more sizing options.” Dr. Peter Guirguis was most impressed by the system’s “good taper selection” but said it might be “easier to reach working length with large size files like 25 and 30 diameters.” Appreciating the “better price” compared to others, Dr. Pete Spalitto said the files have “a good feel.”

File Flexibility & Strength

Channels One files are designed to navigate 90-degree curves with little to no bounce-back and have greater resistance to cyclic fatigue than competing brands, according to Henry Schein. After first using Channels One on “fairly easy” root canals, Dr. James Merrett then “transitioned into curved canals with confidence.” He reported, “These files are very flexible. I had no issues negotiating curved canals and had no separations or breakage.” For Dr. Philip Aurbach, “The files performed as expected with no breakage and felt sturdy and solid yet still had flexibility and maintained shape.” He said they “performed well” during a root canal on a lower anterior tooth “where space was limited and precision was needed due to canal and tooth size.” The files’ flexibility gave Dr. Nilay Nanavati “the feeling that there was limited risk of breakage,” and Dr. Adnan Ahmed also appreciated the “good flexibility” but “felt the cutting edges should be sharper.” Noting that they “cut well,” Dr. Arthur Schlachtman said the fi les easily shaped and cleaned canals.

“For a fraction of the cost of its competitor, the files provided a very smooth cleaning and shaping experience.”
—Thomas Morgan, DDS Prior Lake, MN 

System of Files, Paper Points, & Gutta-Percha

The “gutta-percha and paper points worked well together with the files,” shared Dr. Jason Wetmore, who called the system “very similar to our current system with a lower cost per case” and said, “Switching over was seamless with no learning curve.” Dr. Aurbach “liked that they removed the guesswork thanks to matching fi les and points marked with depth gauges for accuracy,” and said, “It fit right in with our normal root canal protocol.” Dr. Lourdes Albandoz said the gutta-percha and paper points fit perfectly, and Dr. Guirguis said the system is “easy to use and works well together.” Appreciating the file markings “that indicate working length if the stopper gets moved or dislodged,” Dr. Merrett said he prefers a warm, carrier-based gutta-percha and succeeded in using a different guttapercha than what was provided.

Overall Satisfaction

Calling them “great files with no learning curve,” Dr. Wetmore declared, “Channels One worked well in our hands,” and Dr. Merrett added, “I do quite a bit of endodontics and felt comfortable using these files.” Stating that they “performed superbly,” Dr. Nicosia said the fi les “were easy to incorporate into my current system,” and Dr. Morgan concluded, “I would definitely recommend this file system to anyone who does endo therapy.”

Takeaways

• Metallurgy technology produces flexible, strong files with high resistance to cyclic fatigue 
• Navigates 90-degree curves with little to no bounce-back
• Variable tapered files allow procedure completion with fewer instruments
• Files have corresponding paper points and gutta-percha
• Only one file needed to shape canal