Table 1 Basic canal classification in order to inform strategy of negotiation/preparation of the canal
From: Non-surgical endodontics: contemporary biomechanical preparation of the root canal system
| Â | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
Definition | Size 8/10 file does not advance into the canal very easily and it is difficult to get into the apical region | Size 8/10/15/20 advance easily into the canal and reach the apical region passively without going beyond the end of the canal | Size 40+ pass easily into the apical region passively |
Resulting management strategy | These canals often require careful negotiation and initial management | These canals are more straightforward to manage and allow for standard rotary instrumentation after glide path preparation | These canals often have a wider diameter and may require less aggressive preparation to avoid over-instrumentation |
