Endodontic glide path – importance and performance techniques

Abstract

Glide path is a procedure that precedes mechanical instrumentation of the root canals. It is defined as a procedure used to expand or create a smooth tunnel from the coronal part of the root canal to its physiological terminus. It is performed using small-size hand files or specially designed mechanical NiTi instruments. An adequately created glide path extends the life of rotary NiTi instruments, enables better mechanical and chemical debridement and easier preservation of original morphology of endodontic space during further mechanical instrumentation. Frequent use of mechanical instrumentation in daily practice requires better understanding of the glide path, its significance, and instruments and techniques used for its creation.

Keywords: glide path; hand K-files; rotary NiTi instruments