Product Evaluation

While the ultimate goal of root canal therapy is to save the tooth, the success of endodontic treatment often hinges on a dentist’s clinical skills and the instruments used during the procedure. With its new and improved XP-4D NiTi rotary file system, Brasseler equips den­tists with the tools to perform efficient and conserva­tive root canal treatment with adaptive shaping and predictable obturation.

According to Dr. Donald Jetter, who had been using Brasseler’s XP-3D rotary files for years and recently tried the next-generation XP-4D files, “The XP-4D system is quick, easy, safe, and efficient; it is well received by patients.” He found the sequential sizes “easy to use” and praised the unique file design.

“The multi-dimensional shape [of the files] is quick and efficient,” and the files provide “anatomical debridement without over instrumentation,” noted Dr. Jetter. He is eager to continue to use XP-4D and incorporate simplicity, speed, and predictability into every endo procedure.

Taper, Flexibility, and Navigation

The XP-4D system includes 4 files with different sized color-coded tips and matching bioactive gutta-percha and paper points for easy obturation. The files are designed with a flexible core and a 3% apical taper for minimally invasive treatment.

Praising the “shape that’s less tapered than a typical rotary file system,” Dr. Dory Stutman is convinced that “the XP-4D file system will preserve more of the coronal portion of the root canal system while thoroughly cleaning the apical portion.” Calling the files “flexible and able to navigate the canals very well,” Dr. Edward Lew said, “The minimally invasive shaping and the flexibility of the file minimizes the risk of ledging and/or file breakage.”

“The XP-4D files are unlike any existing rotary file system,” declared Dr. Frank Chiu, who praised their flexibility, ability to easily access the apex, and resistance to breakage. “The files were flexible yet able to navigate the canals efficiently,” agreed Sancerie O’Rourke-Allen, DDS. Impressed with “the great flexibility, strength, ability to navigate curved canals, and effective cutting performance,” Dr. Sheri Audu, along with a few other dentists, suggested that the file sizes and color codes should correspond with those of other file systems.

Shaping and Contouring

The XP-4D design affords exceptional control and precision, allowing adaptive shaping for anatomical coronal and midroot contouring—without the risk of under-or over-preparation of the canal.

Dr. Tony Wu specifically named the file design’s “thin apical part to clean tight canals and the convoluted part to clean wider coronal parts of canals” as his favorite features. “Because of the design, the file has continuous contact with canal walls, which enables it to better remove any remaining pulp tissue,” Dr. Lew shared. “The system really came into play during root canal retreatments where I was confident it was thoroughly debriding the canals,” he added.

Dr. Paul Medici called XP-4D “hardy and adaptive instruments that allow better filling,” and Dr. Brandon Tiek “could tell it was cleaning and shaping the canals efficiently.” For Dr. Adina Gobron, “it is easy to enlarge narrow canals [with the files]” and “mesial canals of upper first molars were very simple to shape.” Declaring that the XP-4D files “made endo easier,” Milton Ruiz, DMD, explained, “They did a great job of shaping canals, and the gutta-percha fit perfectly.”

Obturation and Procecure Efficiency

Procedure efficiency and simplicity were lauded by several dentists, including Drs. Lew and Tiek. “Due to the reduction in the number of files and steps, treatment was done more efficiently and in shorter time,” remarked Dr. Lew.

Dr. Tiek noted, “I love the simplicity of the file system and the matching paper and gutta-percha points.” Dr. Steven Berk liked that “only 3 files needed to be used to get to your final obturation” but found it difficult to adjust to the file design.

Describing “thorough cleaning and shaping,” Dr. O’Rourke-Allen said, “I was able to remove minimal tooth structure and use the matching gutta-percha, which created a beautiful, predictable obturation.” She also noted that fewer files were needed during procedures, which resulted in less inventory.

“The gutta-percha cone slides very easily to the apex, with no need to try a smaller size to be able to reach the working length,” shared Dr. Gobron. “Final x-rays showed very compact filled canals with no voids on the obturations.” She concluded, “The time spent for a RCT, especially for molars, is significantly shorter.”

“My chairside experience with the XP-4D system was very favorable so far,” noted Dr. Stutman. “Final obturation of the root canal system radiographically appeared to be conservatively shaped yet thoroughly instrumented and cleansed at the apex. The coronal portion of the root canal system was less hollowed out, leaving a more solid tooth structure.”

Overall Satisfaction

“It was easier to clean and shape tight canals” with XP-4D, Dr. Wu declared. “It is a great addition to my armamentarium for cleaning lower molar mesial and upper molar buccal canals.” Dr. Chiu concluded, “XP-4D made my root canal treatments 10% to 20% more efficient. This is simply a revolutionary rotary file system.”