Identifying multiplanar root canal curvatures using stainless-steel instruments

Information obtained from careful observation of stainless-steel hand file deformation can be a critical step in efficient root canal space debridement. Secondary and tertiary canal curvatures that occur most often in the proximal view have been reported in the literature. Except in teeth that are clinically rotated, there is currently no method for observing the proximal view of root canal systems. This article presents a simple clinical procedure for detecting the three-dimensional anatomy of root canal spaces. We refer to the procedure as file molding.