Reciprocation by VDW
In reciprocation, the instrument is driven first in a cutting direction and then reverses to release the instrument. One complete rotation of 360° is completed in several reciprocating movements. The angle in the cutting direction is greater than the angle in the reverse direction, so that the instrument continously progresses towards the apex. The angles of reciprocation are precise and specific to the design of the RECIPROC® instrument and to VDW endo motors. They are designed to be smaller than the angle settings where the elastic limit of the instrument would be met, thus minimising the risk of instrument fractures.
RECIPROC® instruments have been specifically designed for use in reciprocation. RECIPROC®
has a non-cutting tip.Reciprocation by VDW
RECIPROC® is produced with M-Wire® nickeltitanium. Increased cyclic fatigue resistance is
achieved through the use of this alloy produced in an innovative thermal-treatment process.
M-Wire® has both greater resistance to cyclic fatigue and greater flexibility than traditional
nickel-titanium.
RECIPROC® instruments are designed to be used as a single instrument. That means
that one instrument only is required to prepare a root canal.
instrument suitable for the canal type.
The shape obtained by the RECIPROC® instrument enables effective irrigation
and obturation with both cold and warm techniques.
Silicone stopper
The stopper, in the ISO colour of the specific RECIPROC® instrument tip size, supports clear
identification of the RECIPROC® instrument when it is inserted in the contra-angle. The three
points represent three movements needed to complete 360° in reciprocation.
Shaft
RECIPROC® instruments have a short shaft of 11 mm enabling better access to molars compared to many other instruments which have a shaft of 13 mm or longer
Depth markings
RECIPROC® instruments have radiograph visible depth markings e.g. at 18, 19, 20 and 22 mm.
Frequency of Use
A RECIPROC® instrument is designed for single use in maximum one molar. As with all nickel-titanium instruments, it should be examined during
the treatment and discarded if signs of wear, such as untwisting, can be seen. If an instrument appears to be bent after being used in a strongly curved canal, it should be discarded.
Single-Use Convenience
The RECIPROC® system is designed for convenience and safety. The instruments are delivered
ready to use, pre-sterilised in blister packaging
and should be simply discarded after use, making work flow more efficient; eliminating the need to clean and sterilise instruments, considerably reducing the risk of contamination to office personnel and eliminating the risk of cross contamination to patients.
One RECIPROC® instrument does the job of several instruments which would need to be used for preparation with regular hand or continuous rotary instruments. The RECIPROC® instrument cannot be autoclaved due to its non-autoclavable handle. This safety feature protects against metal fatigue caused by over-use.
RECIPROC® Paper Points
There are highly absorbent and pre-sterilised RECIPROC® Paper Points corresponding to
instrument sizes R25, R40 and R50. For convenient use they are packed in blister cells of four
paper points each. Sterile paper points help to prevent the root canal from recontamination after
thorough cleaning and desinfection. Markings at 18, 20 and 22 mm assist working length control.
RECIPROC® Gutta-Percha
The RECIPROC® system includes RECIPROC® Gutta-Percha for use with either cold obturation techniques such as single cone and lateral compaction or as a master cone for warm vertical
condensation, for example with the BeeFill®2in1 system. RECIPROC® Gutta-Percha has a special
α-phase and a low melting point and it corresponds to the individual shapes of the RECIPROC®
instruments R25, R40 and R50.
VDW.CONNECT Drive®, VDW.GOLD®RECIPROC® and VDW.SILVER® RECIPROC® endo motors are designed to enable the use of both reciprocating and continuous rotary nickel-titanium systems. Thanks to the intuitive menu navigation and clearly structured display the motors ensure easy and convenient use.
VDW RECIPROC® motors are equipped with the unique RECIPROC REVERSE Comfort Function,
which has been specially designed by VDW. This function is a two-stage indicator, which signals when to switch to a brushing file motion in order to reduce stress on the instrument during preparation and to enable an easy advancement towards the apex.
RECIPROC REVERSE supports the user in working with the RECIPROC® system by giving a first acoustic signal to indicate an increase in friction experienced by the instrument in the root canal. In order to reduce friction, the instrument should temporarily be used in a lateral brushing motion towards the coronal section. This creates space in the root canal and the instrument can further advance towards the apex by using a pecking motion. If the instrument is subjected to further stress, a second acoustic signal is given and the motor will automatically start rotating in clockwise direction.
In this way, stress on the instrument will immediately be reduced. By releasing and pressing the foot pedal again, the motor will resume reciprocating motion. However, the instrument must be cleaned, the canal irrigated and an ISO size 10 C-PILOT® File used to check that the canal is not blocked before resuming reciprocating motion. The preparation can then be continued by temporarily using lateral brushing motions until the instrument can easily advance towards the apex. Following this, the canal can be further prepared by returning to the usual pecking motions.
There are two ways of using RECIPROC®: with and without initial hand filing to create a glide path.
The Standard Up Until Now: Initial Hand Filing to Create a Glide Path before the Use of Rotary Instruments
With continuous rotary NiTi systems it is necessary to create a glide path in order to minimise the risk of fracture due to instrument binding. During the use of a rotary instrument, the tip of the instrument may bind in the canal. For this reason, it is necessary to create an initial glide path, or a minimal canal enlargement, before using continuous rotary instruments.
Just as with any continuous rotary NiTi system, it is possible to use the RECIPROC® reciprocating instrument after creating an initial glide path with hand instruments (e.g. C-PILOT® File) to an ISO size 10 or 15. However, RECIPROC® and the reciprocating movement has opened a new possibility: using RECIPROC® without initial hand filing in the majority of cases.
A Paradigm Shift in Endodontics: Using
RECIPROC® without Initial Hand Filing to Create a Glide Path in the Majority of Cases
The concept of using a shaping instrument without first creating a glide path with hand or mechanical glide path instruments is a completely new way of thinking, a paradigm shift. It goes against the current teaching standard which requires the creation of a glide path prior to using a rotary instrument to prevent it binding in the root canal.
In reciprocation, clockwise and counterclockwise angles determine the amplitude of reciprocation, the right and left rotations. These angles, stored in the motor, are significantly lower than the angles at which the RECIPROC® instrument would usually fracture (if bound). When a reciprocating instrument binds in the canal, it will not fracture because it will never rotate past its specific angle of fracture. Therefore, the creation of a glide path to minimise binding is not required for the RECIPROC® instruments.
I want to introduce the notion of the path of least resistance. The reciprocation technique’s centring ability together with the design of the RECIPROC® instrument and its increased cutting ability allows the RECIPROC® instrument to follow the existing and natural path of least resistance, which is the root canal. I want to take advantage of the presence of that natural path with the RECIPROC® instrument in order to eliminate initial hand filing for the creation of a glide path in the majority of cases.This is not only time-saving but also particularly convenient in teeth with limited access.
Additionally, errors associated with the use of hand filing prior to using mechanically driven instruments can be avoided.
First Steps
Ensure you have achieved a straight line access to the root canal entrance.
It is not necessary to widen the root canal entrance with a Gates Glidden drill or an
orifice opener. The design of the RECIPROC® instrument allows any obstructions in
the coronal third to be removed.
Selecting the Correct RECIPROC® Instrument In most cases, the R25 will be suitable in size for the root canal treatment. Consult the pre-operative radiograph to see if the canal is likely to be considered as narrow, medium or wide:
V Preparation with RECIPROC®
If the canal is partially or completely invisible on the radiograph:
The canal is considered narrow; use an R25.
If the canal is completely visible on the radiograph:
Take an ISO size 30 hand instrument; insert it passively into the canal. If it reaches working length, the canal is considered large; use the R50.
If an ISO size 30 hand instrument does not go passively to working length, try an ISO size 20 hand instrument. If this goes passively to working length, the canal is considered
medium; use the R40.
If an ISO size 20 hand instrument does not go passively to working length, use the R25.