PathFile™ 16, 21mm (6)

PathFile® · 016/.02 · 21 mm · 6 files

Glide pathCurved canalsBefore shapingRotary

The middle file, and the one most often reordered

PathFile® 016 is the second file in the sequence, between 013 and 019. It is the one most practices run out of first, because it does most of the widening. A white ring on the handle identifies it.

This pack: PathFile® Rotary Glide Path File, ISO Size 16, .02 Taper, 21mm (Pack of 6) · Sterile
REF A001522101603 · Made by Dentsply Sirona (Maillefer), Switzerland

The facts

Why this one

By 016 the canal has already been opened by the 013, so this file is working in a path that exists. It is the step that turns a scouted canal into one a shaping file can enter.

PathFile® was developed with Dr Berutti, Dr Cantatore and Dr Castellucci, and it is the range that established the idea of cutting the glide path with a dedicated rotary instrument rather than a sequence of hand files.

What the evidence says

Berutti and colleagues compared preflaring with hand K-files against PathFile® in one hundred S-shaped training blocks, with an endodontist and an inexperienced clinician each doing both. The PathFile groups showed significantly less modification of canal curvature and significantly fewer canal aberrations – and, notably, the inexperienced clinician using PathFile® produced more conservative shaping than the expert using manual preflaring. (Berutti E et al., Journal of Endodontics 2009 – simulated canals in training blocks, not teeth. Berutti co-developed the instrument.)

A later independent study went to extracted teeth. Zheng and colleagues scanned sixty mesial canals of mandibular first molars by micro-CT and found PathFile® transported the canal significantly less than hand K-files at every level measured, and extruded less debris apically. (Zheng L et al., BMC Oral Health 2018 – ex vivo, micro-computed tomography.)

Questions we get asked

Do I need the other two sizes?
PathFile® is designed as a sequence, so in normal use yes. The other packs at this length are PathFile® 013, 21 mm · PathFile® 019, 21 mm · PathFile® Assorted, 21 mm.

Where does it sit against the hand file?
Dentsply Sirona’s sequence has you establish working length with an ISO 008 or 010 hand file first, then take 013, 016 and 019 to length in turn, irrigating between each. The rotary files replace the larger hand files, not the scouting one.

What are the motor settings?
300 rpm, continuous rotation, with light apical pressure and the flutes cleaned frequently. Both motors we stock will run it: X-Smart® Pro+ and VDW.SILVER® RECIPROC®.

Can the files be reused?
No. They are supplied sterile for single patient use. Three files go into one canal in sequence, so the pack of six is one glide path per two canals.

Is there a one-file alternative?
Two, and we stock both. ProGlider® cuts the glide path with a single rotary file on a variable progressive taper; R-PILOT® does it in one reciprocating file on the RECIPROC ALL setting. PathFile® takes three passes and steps up in smaller increments.

Complete the case

PathFile® Rotary Glide Path File · ISO 016 tip · constant .02 taper · white ring · nickel-titanium · 21 mm · sterile, single patient use · blister of 6 · 300 rpm, continuous rotation · REF A001522101603