With most things in life, change is inevitable, and endodontics is no exception. However, our commitment to a higher success rate for root canal treatment has never changed. What has changed—and rather dramatically—are the materials and techniques now available. Endodontics is getting “smarter” every day in terms of equipment and materials and the ways they are being used. Smart endodontics is a commitment to science, microbial control, apical cleaning, results, and techniques, all with the aim of increasing our success rates and improving patient care.
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| Figure 1. Original LightSpeed design (LS1). Note the flexible, nontapered shaft, short blade, and noncutting pilot. |
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Figure 2. Results of 3 instrumentation protocols. As the apical preparation size increases, the bacterial count in the canal decreases. |
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Figure 3. Cutting begins with the LSX No. 30 at the narrow diameter (a); more cutting with larger sizes (b); all walls are cut (greater diameter), determining the final apical size (c). |
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Figure 4. Front view of LSX spade blade with noncutting pilot. |
CROSS-SECTIONING ROOTS: SEEING IT AS IT REALLY IS
More than 30 years ago, we began cross-sectional analysis of extracted root canal-treated teeth. What we observed proved to be a loud wake-up call. We saw canals that weren’t clean, and some that were downright dirty. Like it or not, we had to accept the reality that existing instrumentation techniques were not addressing the essence of successful endodontics: clean canals. Clearly, stainless steel instruments and outmoded techniques were not getting the job done.
These unexpected observations encouraged additional investigation of root canal-treated teeth. Extracted teeth were instrumented, obturated, and radiographed. Then the roots were cross-sectioned and photographed 1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex. The results were studied by projecting the radiographs and cross-sections side by side. This very valuable learning experience not only showed inadequate instrumentation, it also reminded us of the 2-dimensional limitations of radiographs. In spite of great-looking radiographs, the cross-sections frequently showed uninstrumented, dirty, and transported canals.
The radiographic and photographic comparisons showed that apical puffs of sealer did not correlate with canal cleanliness. Hydraulic forces were sufficient to push sealer past unclean areas and out the foramen, suggesting that excessive importance is given to radiographs in terms of their ability to evaluate the quality of treatment. Things may not be what they seem to be.
We also found that even when a pre-curved instrument was skillfully manipulated, existing canal curvatures had much to do with how it behaved rather than being totally controlled by the dentist’s hand movements. Above the first curve the dentist has full control, but below the curve much of the control is lost. In addition, we noted that in curved canals rigid instruments leaned against one wall—often leaving other parts of the canal untouched and unclean.1
Cross-sections confirmed what we have known for years. Apical anatomy—with deltas, multiple foramina, lateral canals, fins, and culde-sacs—is much too complex to instrument and clean predictably or adequately, and this is not likely to change any time soon. When this reality is accepted, our instrumentation goal becomes obvious—clean the main canal as best we can. We also have to accept the fact that our bodies’ defense system makes many of our root canal treatments “work.” Neutrophils and macrophages are innately programmed to kill bacteria and cleanup debris. Our goal must be to give our defense system as much help as possible (clean the main canal).
Observing the real world of cross-sections provided the motivation to design a radically different instrument. We wanted sufficient flexibility to negotiate 3-dimensional canal curvatures. The desired flexibility was obtained by removing metal from the shaft and eliminating the taper. To this was added a short blade and noncutting pilot tip. The combination of Ni-Ti and a new design gave us an extremely flexible instrument that could prepare apical canals large enough (dictated by the original canal size) to clean all main canal walls without deviating very much from the original canal boundaries. Inspired by positive results with prototype testing, the basic design of LightSpeed was born nearly 20 years ago (Figure 1).
NI-TI TO THE RESCUE
As good fortune would have it, the very flexible and fatigue-resistant Ni-Ti metal was becoming available for making root canal instruments. Ni-Ti, compared to stainless steel, could withstand many more rotations before it failed, making it ideally suited for a dental handpiece. Clinicians quickly realized that rotary instrumentation was “easier and faster”—and thus began the Ni-Ti revolution that evolved to where we are today.
However, easier and faster did not always translate into better. Rotaries had their good points; they were faster and reduced the incidence of ledges, zips, and perforations. However, the benefits of Ni-Ti instruments did not necessarily result in cleaner canals. Albrecht, Baumgartner, and Marshall showed that tapered Ni-Ti instruments did not clean any better than stainless steel hand files when the final apical rotary sizes were the same as the stainless steel instruments.2 It makes sense that instrumenting to the same apical size shouldn’t make much difference.
At a lecture given in 1999 (American Association of Endodontists), Martin Trope suggested that the reason rotaries didn’t result in cleaner canals was because clinicians were not taking full advantage of the new technology. In other words, while instrument design may have progressed, the concepts of canal cleaning had not. Siqueira, et al3 and Card, et al4 found that canals instrumented to larger sizes resulted in greater bacterial reduction. Molars (Figure 2) that were only rendered 60% bacteria-free using a “normal” tapered instrument protocol were significantly improved to 80% when further enlarged with tapered Ni-Ti rotaries, and then to 89% when instrumented with LightSpeed instruments. They even suggested that larger apical preparation sizes may eliminate the need for 2-visit endodontic procedures (necrotic cases). In summary, larger preparations result in cleaner canals. Intuitively, this makes a lot of sense.
INTRODUCING THE LIGHTSPEED LSX NI-TI ROTARY SYSTEM
The original LightSpeed instrument was introduced in 1994. Since then, technological advances have made improvements to the original design possible. After several years of testing, the improved version of LightSpeed, LightSpeed LSX, was introduced. It was so named because evaluators felt very safe using it, suggesting that the “X” be added (for extra safe). We will explain the safety features later.
The concept of cleaning canals by matching the final apical instrument size to that of the original apical canal size has not changed with the LSX. Figure 3 explains how this is done. The LSX begins to cut only when the blade touches 2 walls at the narrowest part of the oval canal (Figure 3a). Each larger instrument cuts more dentin (Figure 3b), and instrumentation ends with a size slightly larger than the canal’s greater diameter (Figure 3c). Since what was just described is not visible—the dentist knows what is going on by instrument feedback.
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Figure 5. LSX is significantly more flexible when compared to tapered instruments with similar tip sizes. (Source: UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Bioengineering.) |
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Figure 6. LSX with easy-to-read ISO size (a); closeup of blade; note the absence of flutes (b); head-on view of the blade and the spaces on both sides of the blade for debris and bypassing (c). |
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Figure 7. Cycles to failure: LSX versus .04 taper Ni-Ti. (Source: UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Science, Department of Bioengineering.) |
WHAT’S NEW ABOUT THE LSX? REDUCED NUMBER OF INSTRUMENTS
A major criticism of the original LightSpeed system (called LS1) was “too many instruments.” Even though it was just as fast, if not faster, than many other rotary systems, “too many instruments” was an issue for many dentists. The reason for the additional instruments was that the LS1 could not easily and safely jump from one full size to another (ie, No. 35 to No. 40). Because the LSX is stronger, more efficient, and safer than the LS1, there is no need for the half sizes.
MORE PRECISE TACTILE FEEDBACK
The LSX blade design provides even better tactile feedback than the original. The spade-like shape is similar to an oval canal viewed in cross-section (Figure 4). One can actually “feel” the canal better with LSX than with LS1.
TAPERLESS DESIGN PROVIDES MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
The LSX is even more flexible than its predecessor, enhancing its ability to follow tortuous canals without much concern for mishaps. Since research confirms that apical canal diameters are indeed larger than commonly believed, the ability to instrument to larger sizes is a great advantage. Flexibility is the key to keeping the instrument within the confines of the canal so that all walls are cleaned. The combination of a short blade, a thin shaft, and Ni-Ti makes the LSX an extremely flexible instrument (Figure 5).
LSX UNIQUE CUTTING BLADE DESIGN: “SPADE BLADE”
The spade blade (Figures 6a, 6b, and 6c) has several advantages: 1) There are no flutes to fill with debris. Clogged flutes cause a significant loss of cutting efficiency, encouraging a more forceful push and increasing the risk of instrument fracture. There-fore, flutes have to be cleaned frequently, wasting valuable time. The space on both sides of the LSX blade provides ample room for debris that is later flushed out of the canal with irrigant. 2) The spade blade has no helical angle (spiral thread) that accounts for a “self-threading” tendency. With the LSX blade the dentist controls apical advancement. 3) The blade design provides space for cut debris and for bypassing in the unlikely event of instrument separation.
As with all designs, there is a trade-off; the 2-blade design results in a bit more “chatter.” Chatter indicates an oval rather than a round canal shape. Take advantage of this information and go to larger LSX sizes until it is eliminated. How do we handle this clinically? By being aware that chatter may occur and slowing the apical progression immediately when encountered.
ADDRESSING INSTRUMENT SEPARATION
A substantial number of dentists have not embraced the benefits of Ni-Ti rotaries, fearing instrument separation. While instrument abuse is by far the leading cause of separation, instruments can separate even when handled properly. We now understand why. Instruments are made by grinding the Ni-Ti, and in the process a defect (nick) can occur on the surface of the metal. Rotation in a curved canal bends the instrument back and forth, causing the defect to “grow.” Failure occurs without warning or apparent reason from metal fatigue.
This concern was addressed with the LSX by using a stamping rather than grinding process. The LSX resists failure from metal fatigue because a grinding wheel does not touch any part of it. The Ni-Ti retains its natural state as received from the wire manufacturer. The instrument design is also part of the solution. All things being equal, a larger diameter instrument, with more metal, will fail from fatigue before a smaller one (seems illogical, but that’s the science). Of course, all metals will eventually fatigue with usage, and LSX is no exception. The key is to track usage and avoid overusing the instrument (Figure 7).
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| Firgure 8. Examples of the “safe failure” design of the LSX. Top: twist-up; bottom: controlled separation at handle. |
TORSION OVERLOAD: ANOTHER REASON FOR INSTRUMENT SEPARATION
An instrument cutting dentin is subjected to torsional (twisting) stresses. To significantly reduce these stresses the LSX was designed with a short blade to be used at a high rpm (optimum is 2,500 rpm). Even though these two design features contribute greatly toward making the LSX resistant to failure, it can still be subjected to excessive torsional stresses when it is rapidly and forcefully pushed apically.
The good news is that the LSX was designed with a “safe failure mode,” which means that if it is overstressed, there is an excellent chance that no part of the instrument is left in the canal. Figure 8 shows how this is accomplished. The LSX either twists-up or separates from the handle. The twisted instrument (Figure 8 [top]) comes out of the canal intact. The separated instrument (Figure 8 [bottom]) is usually easily and quickly removed from the canal with cotton pliers because the separation on average occurs 20 mm from the tip.
ADDITIONAL BENEFIT OF THE LSX: SIMPLIFIED TECHNIQUE
Besides having significantly fewer instruments, another big plus for the LSX is the simplicity of its technique. The advance and withdraw “pecking” motion previously required for the LS1 is a thing of the past. The LSX technique is much simpler. Slowly advance the instrument apically until a binding sensation is felt (indicating the instrument is beginning to cut)—pause for a mo-ment—then slowly and gently push the instrument to the desired length. The previous pecking motion is no longer necessary because the LSX does not have flutes to fill with debris. The LS1 required the pecking motion to clear the blade of debris (and reduce the torsional load).
CONCLUSION
This article has presented an overview of the LSX system. Part 2 will describe the technique and show some clinical examples of its use.
Acknowledgment
The authors thank Steven Senia, BSIE, MBA, for his contribution to this article.
References
1. Wildey WL, Senia ES, Montgomery S. Another look at root canal instrumentation. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol. 1992;74:499-507.
2. Albrecht LJ, Baumgartner JC, Marshall JG. Evaluation of apical debris removal using various sizes and tapers of ProFile GT files. J Endod. 2004;30:425-428.
3. Siqueira JF Jr, Lima KC, Magalhaes FA, et al. Mechanical reduction of the bacterial population in the root canal by three instrumentation techniques. J Endod. 1999;25:332-335.
4. Card SJ, Sigurdsson A, Orstavik D, et al. The effectiveness of increased apical enlargement in reducing intracanal bacteria. J Endod. 2002;28:779-783.
Dr. Senia has published in national and international journals and is the co-inventor of the LightSpeed root canal instrumentation and Simpli-Fill obturation systems. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, a former member of the Journal of Endodontics Editorial Board and a Consultant for the NASA space program. Dr. Senia received his DDS degree from Marquette University (1963) and a Certificate in Endodontics and MS degree from The Ohio State University (1969). In the Air Force he served first as a Pilot and then a dentist. After retirement he was Professor and Director of the Endodontic Postdoctoral Program at the University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio. For information about LightSpeed products and a schedule of hands-on courses, call Discus Dental at (800) 817-3636, e-mail Info@LightSpeed-USA.com, or visit the Web site LightSpeedEndo.com.
Dr. Wildey is presently in an endodontic practice in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area in Texas. He is the primary author of 2 articles published in a major national dental journal. He is the co-inventor of the LightSpeed root canal instrument and SimpliFill obturation systems. Dr. Wildey was in private practice in Oklahoma from 1980 to 1986. In 1988 he received a Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio, Texas. He earned his D.D.S. degree from Georgetown University in 1976 and after graduation served four years as a general dentist in the United States Air Force. He can be reached at DocWWild@aol.com.
