Academic literature on the topic 'Self-adjusting file (SAF®)'

A primary aim of root canal treatment is to completely clean and shape the root canal system. Various instruments are available for endodontic instrumentation. Although rotary systems do prepare many canals without major procedural errors, they do not address canal types with long-oval or flat cross sections. A newly developed self-adjusting file (SAF) was designed to address the shortcomings of traditional rotary files by adjusting itself to the canal cross section. This instrument consists of a compressible opened NiTi tube that, on placement into a root canal, will exert pressure against the canal Wall. The SAF is used in an in-and-out motion powered by a handpiece and under constant irrigation. The aim of this review was to describe instrument design, usage parameters and features of Self Adjusting File. How to cite this article: Adıgüzel Ö. A Literature Review of Self Adjusting File. Int Dent Res 2011;1:18-25. Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the canal debridement capabilities of three single file systems, ProTaper, and K-files in oval-shaped canals. Materials and Methods: Seventy-five extracted human mandibular central incisors with oval-shaped root canals were selected. A radiopaque contrast medium (Metapex; Meta Biomed Co. Ltd., Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea) was introduced into the canal systems and the self-adjusting file (SAF), WaveOne, Reciproc, ProTaper, and K-files were used for the instrumentation of the canals. The percentage of removed contrast medium was calculated using pre- and post-operative radiographs. Results: An overall comparison between the groups revealed that the hand file (HF) and SAF groups presented the lowest percentage of removed contrast medium, whereas the WaveOne group showed the highest percentage (P < 0.001). The ProTaper group removed more contrast medium than the SAF and HF groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: None of the instruments was able to remove the contrast medium completely. WaveOne performed significantly better than other groups.

ABSTRACT Aim The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fracture strength of roots instrumented with the self-adjusting file (SAF; ReDent-Nova, Ra'anana, Israel) and the Reciproc reciprocating file and that were and were not obturated using the warm vertical lateral compaction technique. Materials and methods In total, 75 mandibular premolar teeth were sectioned at or below the cementoenamel junction to obtain roots 13 mm in length. The roots were balanced with respect to buccolingual and mesiodistal diameters and weight. They were distributed into four experimental groups and one control group (n = 15): No instrumentation (group I), instrumentation with SAF files but no obturation (group II), instrumentation with SAF files and obturated with warm vertical lateral compaction (group III), instrumentation with Reciproc File but no obturation (group IV), and instrumentation with Reciproc File and obturated with warm vertical lateral compaction (group V). AH Plus sealer (Dentsply DeTrey, Konstanz, Germany) was used along with gutta-percha points. One week later, a vertical load was applied to the specimen's canal until fracture occurred. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (p = 0.05). Results The mean fracture load was 312.83 N for group I, 297.35 N for group II, 359.15 N for group III, 231.51 N for group IV, and 275.81 N for group V. Conclusion The fracture resistances exhibited a statistically significant difference between all the groups. Teeth instrumented by SAF exhibited a better fracture resistance. How to cite this article Tyagi S, Choudhary E, Kabra P, Chauhan R. An in vitro comparative Evaluation of Fracture Strength of Roots Instrumentated with Self-adjusting File and Reciproc Reciprocating File, with and without Obturation. Int J Clin Dent Res 2017;1(1):20-25.

ABSTRACT The main objective of an endodontic treatment is thorough shaping and cleaning of the root canal system, with the aim to obtain a fluid tight seal by a biocompatible obturating material. Complex unusual root canal morphology is an often-occurring phenomenon. Knowledge and understanding the unusual root canal morphology predicts the successful outcome in endodontic treatment. One such variant root canal morphology is the ‘S’ shaped root canal. The self-adjusting file (SAF) is a hollow compressible file made up of nickel-titanium lattice. The new concept associated with the SAF is that it adapts itself to the anatomical shape of the root canal and performs mechanical shaping and chemical cleaning with continuous irrigation simultaneously. This case report discusses endodontic treatment of a maxillary second premolar with a ‘S’ shaped root canal and its successful management with the SAF. How to cite this article Pawar AM, Pawar MG, Kokate SR. Minimally Invasive Endodontic Management of a Maxillary Second Premolar with an S-shaped Root Canal using the Self-adjusting File. J Contemp Dent 2015;5(1):35-37.

Aim: Debridement during root canal treatment is mandatory and it is provided by means of chemomechanical instrumentation and irrigation methods. This article analysis the debridement capacity of a novel system, SAF and its special irrigation device when used with different operation times in curved root canals. Methodology: 30 mesiobuccal root canals of maxillary molars were instrumented using SAF. Teeth were divided into three groups. In Group 1, 10 new SAF files were used for operation for 4 minutes. In Group 2, the 4-min previously used SAF files were operated in the same manner. In Group 3, the 8-min previously used SAF files were operated. During SAF operation 2.6 % NaOCl and 17 % EDTA were used alternately in all groups. Debris and smear layer removal were evaluated for the apical thirds under scanning electron microscope. Results: Non-used, 4-min preused, and 8-min preused SAF efficiently removed debris and smear layer in the apical thirds. There were no significant difference among the groups in terms of debridement. Conclusions: When SAF is operated in curved root canals with continous flow of irrigation it results in debris and smear-free canal walls in the critical apical thirds within 12 minutes. How to cite this article: Yiğit Özer S, Adıgüzel Ö, Kaya S. Removal of debris and smear layer in curved root canals using self-adjusting file with different operation times - A scanning electron microscope study. Int Dent Res 2011;1:1-6. Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of D-RaCe files and a self-adjusting file (SAF) system in removing filling material from curved root canals instrumented and filled with different techniques by using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT). The mesial roots of 20 extracted mandibular first molars were used. Root canals (mesiobuccal and mesiolingual) were instrumented with SAF or Revo-S. The canals were then filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer using cold lateral compaction or thermoplasticized injectable techniques. The root fillings were first removed with D-RaCe (Step 1), followed by Step 2, in which a SAF system was used to remove the residual fillings in all groups. Micro-CT scans were used to measure the volume of residual filling after root canal filling, reinstrumentation with D-RaCe (Step 1), and reinstrumentation with SAF (Step 2). Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests. There were no statistically significant differences between filling techniques in the canals instrumented with SAF (P=0.292) and Revo-S (P=0.306). The amount of remaining filling material was similar in all groups (P=0.363); all of the instrumentation techniques left filling residue inside the canals. However, the additional use of SAF was more effective than using D-RaCe alone.

Background. Pediatric endodontics is a field with constant evolution, resulting in the shifting of paradigms from the use of conventional hand files to rotary files for biomechanical preparation in primary teeth. Biomechanical preparation plays a crucial role in the success of root canal treatment. Primary teeth need special attention since they differ from permanent teeth in root canal morphology. Cleaning and shaping of the canals damage the root dentin, leading to dentinal cracks. Newer techniques for root canal preparation, including Ni-Ti rotary files and SAF system, have been developed for use in pediatric endodontics to overcome the drawbacks of conventional methods. The present study compared dentinal defects formed by rotary systems in primary teeth. Methods. Eighty primary teeth were included. The teeth were decoronated with a diamond disc. All the roots were inspected for any pre-existing cracks or craze lines under transmitted light under a stereomicroscope. The specimens were then divided into four groups (n=20): group 1: control, group 2: hand files (HF), group 3: ProTaper files, and group IV: SAF files. The samples were instrumented according to the group they were assigned to. Results. The HF and SAF groups exhibited fewer microcracks. Dentinal microcracks were observed in roots prepared with rotary ProTaper files. There were significant differences between HF/SAF and rotary files (P<0.05). Conclusion. Stainless steel hand K-files and SAF instruments resulted in fewer dentinal damage than the ProTaper Universal files. SAF exhibited satisfactory results with minimal or no crack formation.

A limpeza e modelagem dos canais radiculares consiste em uma etapa fundamental para o sucesso da terapia endodôntica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar um novo conceito de instrumento endodôntico Self Adjusting File (SAF), e instrumentos rotatórios de NiTi, na capacidade de limpeza de canais achatados por meio de microscopia óptica. Vinte e dois incisivos inferiores instrumentados com instrumentos rotatórios K3 (n=11) e sistema SAF (n=11), tiveram seus terços apicais submetidos ao processamento histológico e analisados em microscopia óptica (40×). As imagens capturadas pelo software Adobe Photoshop 5.1 foram analisadas com auxilio de grade de integração do software Image J. O perímetro de ação dos instrumentos nas paredes dos canais radiculares foi determinado com auxilio do software Image J e uma mesa digital Bamboo. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e teste de T não pareado corrigido pelo teste de Welch, considerando-se a presença de debris no terço apical e a superfície de dentina sem contato com o instrumento (α=5%). A análise estatística mostrou haver diferença significante entre os grupos. Canais instrumentados com o sistema endodôntico SAF apresentaram valores percentual de debris e superfície não tocada pelo instrumento menores (2,18 ± 2,71 e 12,33 ± 7,85 respectivamente) quando comparado com canais instrumentados com instrumentos rotatórios (13,11 ± 12,98 e 53,54 ± 15,95, respectivamente) (p<0.05). Concluiu-se que o sistema SAF proporcionou melhor preparo de canais radiculares por tocar mais nas paredes radiculares promovendo consequentemente melhor limpeza.
Cleaning and shaping of root canals are essential steps for the success of endodontic therapy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new concept of endodontic instrument - the Self Adjusting File (SAF) system - and NiTi rotary instruments, regarding their cleaning capacity in flattened root canals, using optical microscopy. Twenty-two mandibular incisors prepared with K3 rotary instruments (n=11) and SAF system (n=11) had their apical thirds subjected to histological processing and analyzed by optical microscopy (40×). The images captured by Adobe Photoshop 5.1 software were analyzed with the integration grid of Image J software. The perimeter of action of the instruments on the root canals walls was determined using Image J software and a Bamboo digital tablet. Data were analyzed statistically using analysis of variance and unpaired t-test with Welchs correction, considering the presence of debris in the apical third and the root dentin surface untouched by the instrument (α=5%). The statistical analysis revealed significant difference between the groups. Canals prepared with the SAF system presented lower percent values of debris and untouched root dentin surfaces (2.18 ± 2.71 and 12.33 ± 7.85, respectively) compared with canals prepared with rotary instruments (13.11 ± 12.98 and 53.54 ± 15.95, respectively) (p<0.05). In conclusion, the SAF system was associated with better root canal preparation, as it touched more the root dentin walls and consequently promoted a more effective cleaning.

O presente trabalho avaliou, por microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), a limpeza das paredes dos canais radiculares instrumentados pelas técnicas rotatória e Self-adjusting file (SAF®) com uso do NaOCl a 1% como solução irrigadora e o uso do EDTA a 15% e da Quitosana 0,20% como soluções quelantes, e quantificou os íons cálcio removidos pelas diferentes soluções irrigadoras por meio de espectrometria de absorção atômica. Trinta dentes caninos inferiores humanos foram divididos em dois grupos (n=15), de acordo com a técnica de instrumentação utilizada: A - instrumentos FlexMaster® usados na técnica Free Tip Preparation, assegurado alargamento mínimo de 200, até o instrumento # 60.02, irrigados com 1 mL de NaOCl 1% em cada troca de instrumento e B - sistema SAF®, com prévio alargamento manual até o instrumento K #20, aplicação da SAF® por 4 minutos, com fluxo de irrigação pelo sistema VATEA de 5mL/min. Os dentes foram divididos em três subgrupos conforme a irrigação final: G1-NaOCl 1%, G2- EDTA 15% e G3 Quitosana 0,20%. Utilizou-se 5mL de cada solução à 1mL/min. A solução extravasada pelo forame foi coletada e submetida à análise espectrométrica. O EDTA 15% apresentou maior capacidade de remoção de íons cálcio do que a Quitosana a 0,20% (p<0,05) e o NaOCl 1% não removeu íons. Os espécimes foram analisados em MEV. As fotomicrografias obtidas foram avaliadas qualitativamente em relação à remoção da camada de smear observada. Não houve diferença entre as instrumentações rotatória e SAF® nos terços dos canais avaliados. Analisadas as interações entre as técnicas utilizadas e aos terços do canal, o EDTA 15% apresentou melhores resultados que a Quitosana 0,20% (p<0,05), sendo ambas as soluções melhores que o NaOCl 1%. Conclui-se que as soluções quelantes testadas foram capazes de remover íons cálcio das paredes dos canais radiculares - com superioridade do EDTA 15% sobre a Quitosana 0,20%, e o NaOCl a 1% não apresentou essa capacidade - e removeram a camada de smear das paredes dos canais radiculares com superioridade do EDTA 15%, sem interferência das técnicas de instrumentação avaliadas rotatória e SAF®.
The present study evaluated, by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the cleanness of the root canal walls instrumented by rotary and the self-adjusting file (SAF®) techniques using 1% NaOCl as an irrigating solution and 15% EDTA, 0.20% Chitosan as chelator solutions, and quantified the calcium ions removed by the different irrigants with atomic absorption spectrometry. Thirty human mandibular canine teeth were divided into 2 groups (n=15) according to the instrumentation technique used: A- FlexMaster® instruments used with the Free tip Preparation, assuring a minimal enlargement of 200m, up to a #60 .02 instrument, irrigated with 1mL of 1% NaOCl between each instrument; and B- SAF® system, with previous enlargement to a type K #20 manual instrument, application of SAF during 4 minutes, with VATEA irrigation system at a flow of 5mL/min. The teeth were divided into three subgroups according to the final irrigation protocol: G1- 1% NaOCl, G2- 15% EDTA and G3- 0.20 % Chitosan. Five mL of solution were used at 1mL/min. The solution extruded thru the foramen was collected and submitted to spectrometric analysis. 15% EDTA showed higher calcium ion removal capacity then 0.20% Chitosan (p<0.05) and the 1% NaOCl did not remove ions. The specimens were evaluated by means of SEM. The photomicrographs obtained were qualitatively evaluated in terms of smear layer removal. There was no significant difference between the rotary and SAF® instrumentation systems in the evaluated canal thirds. The interaction techniques used and canals thirds showed that the 15% EDTA revealed better results than the 0.02% Chitosan (p<0.05), and both were better than 1% NaOCl. It can be concluded that the tested chelating solutions removed calcium ions from the root canals walls with better results for 15% EDTA than 0.20% Chitosan; 1% NaOCl did not present this capacity - and removed the smear layer form the root canal walls with better results for 15% EDTA, with no difference between the evaluated techniques rotary and SAF®.

Trabalho apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Medicina Dentária
A Endodontia é uma área da Medicina Dentária que tem evoluído muito ao longo dos tempos. Surgiu no século XVII e desde aí, os conceitos, as técnicas e os materiais têm apresentado uma constante evolução e desenvolvimento. Alguns desses exemplos são as novas ligas metálicas que têm sido criadas e investigadas; os novos métodos de potenciação da irrigação; e as novas técnicas de obturação tridimensional que asseguram o correto selamento do sistema de canais radiculares. Existem diversos sistemas de instrumentação mecanizada de canais radiculares, sendo o sistema SAF® dos mais recentes. Este sistema apresenta as características de apenas ser necessária uma lima única para a instrumentação de todo o canal, sendo a parte ativa um tubo compressível: respeitar a morfologia canalar existente e apresentar irrigação contínua e simultânea durante a instrumentação. No que diz respeito ao sistema ProTaper®, é um sistema que apresenta limas de instrumentação do terço coronal e médio do canal radicular (shaping files) e limas de instrumentação do terço apical (finishing files). A presente tese com o título “Self Adjusting Files (SAF®): Perspectiva comparativa com o sistema ProTaper®”, tem como objetivo a elaboração de uma revisão bibliográfica com o intuito de comparar parâmetros específicos duma nova técnica de instrumentação canalar mecanizada (Self Adjusting Files®) como sistema de instrumentação mecanizada ProTaper®. A pesquisa foi realizada com base em artigos científicos e livros, sendo consultada a biblioteca da Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde da Universidade Fernando Pessoa, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidade do Porto. A pesquisa bibliográfica utilizou os motores de busca PubMed, Embase e Science Direct com as seguintes palavras-chave: “Self Adjusting File”, “ProTaper”, “Rotary System”, “Nickel Titanium”, “Endodontic irrigation”, “Endodontic obturation”. Os sistemas de instrumentação mecanizada SAF® e ProTaper® representam duas perspetivas de preparação canalar distintas: a primeira preconiza a adaptação da lima à anatomia tridimensional do canal radicular, enquanto a segunda preconiza uma preparação canalar com conicidade múltipla e progressiva. Endodontics is an area of dentistry that has evolved greatly over time. Emerged in the seventeenth century and since then, the concepts, techniques and materials showed a constant evolution and development. Some examples new alloys that have been created and investigated; new methods of enhancement of irrigation: and new tridimensional obturation techniques that ensure the sealing of the root canal system. There are multiple systems of root canal instrumentation, the SAF® system is an the most recent. This system presents a compressible tube in active part and single file use, respect of root canal morphology and preconize continuous and simultaneous irrigation during the instrumentation. The ProTaper® system presents files to coronal and middle third instrumentation (shaping files) and files to apical third instrumentation (finishing files). The purpose of this thesis titled “Self Adjusting Files (SAF®): Comparative perspective with the ProTaper® system” was the realization of a bibliographic rewiew in order to compare specific parameters of a new rotary instrumentation technique (Self Adjusting Files®)) with the ProTaper® rotary system. The research was realized based on scientific articles and books, consulted the Health Sciences Faculty of Fernando Pessoa University, Dentistry School of Oporto University. The bibliographic research used PubMed, Embase e Science Direct with the key-words: “Self Adjusting File”, “ProTaper”, “Rotary System”, “Nickel Titanium”, “Endodontic irrigation”, “Endodontic obturation”. The rotary instrumentation systems SAF® and ProTaper® represent a different perspectives of root canal instrumentation: SAF® advocates the adaptation of the file to the tridimensional anatomy of root canal and the second ProTaper® advocates the root canal instrumentation with multiple and progressive taper.

Existem inúmeros sistemas de instrumentação mecanizada, sendo que o sistema de limas autoajustável é um sistema inovador, que permite uma instrumentação e irrigação simultânea. O objetivo desta revisão narrativa é analisar as características deste sistema, comparando-as com outros sistemas de instrumentação. A metodologia consistiu numa pesquisa efetuada nas bases de dados “Pubmed”, “RCAAP”, “B-on”, “Repositório institucional da UFP” utilizando as palavras-chave: “Endodontic”, “Self adjusting file” e “SAF”. Da análise realizada da literatura científica consultada, constata-se que é uma alternativa eficaz para a realização do tratamento endodôntico, demonstrando bons resultados quanto à limpeza dos canais radiculares, uma diminuta quantidade de detritos extruídos pelo forâmen apical e uma baixa incidência de formação de microcraks. No entanto, a maioria dos estudos são in vitro, com as limitações inerentes a este tipo de estudo, assim seriam necessários mais estudos clínicos e de longa duração de controlo.
In a very wide range of mechanized instrumentation systems, the Self Adjusting File system is an innovative one that allows a simultaneous instrumentation and irrigation. The intention of the present narrative review is to analise the characteristics of this system, comparing it to other instrumentation systems. The methodology consisted in a research made in the databases of “Pubmed”, “RCAAP”, “B-on”, “Repositório institucional da UFP” using the keywords “Endodontic”, “Self adjusting file” and “SAF”. From the analysis of the consulted scientific literature, we determine that the SAF® is an efficient alternative to the endodontic treatment. It shows positive results when it comes to the root canal cleaning; a small amount of debris extruded through the apical foramen and a small occurence of microcracks formation. However, most of the studies are in vitro and with the limitations inherent to them, more clinical and long lasting control studies would be needed.