Endodontic methods for the anatomical, sectional and progressive corono-apical preparation of root canals with three sets of dedicated instruments

A root canal is sequentially cleaned in sections from the crown to the apex by dividing it into three sections including an operative coronal portion, an operative middle portion and an apical portion. An operative phase corresponds with each section and specific instrumentation is used in each phase. After an opening is formed into the tooth to provide access into the root canal, the opening is preferably rectified to remove obstructions so that the anatomical root canal can be fully accessed. The pulp material is then sequentially removed from the portion of the root canal above the apical portion of the root canal with a set of instruments and then from the apical portion with another set of instruments. An optional set of instruments can also be used to improve the access into the apical portion such that irrigants can be delivered to the apical portion. Cleaning of the pulp material from the root canal also shapes the root canal to ease filling of the root canal with a filling material. The root canal preparation and shaping are completed while maintaining the original anatomy of the root canal. Each instrument comprises a handle connected to a file. Each file has an abrading portion and terminates at a tip. The files used to clean the portion of the root canal above the apical portion have properties which enable the abrading portion of the file to conform to the configuration of the root canal while simultaneously moving the file in a cleaning motion.