Apical Guage with integrated gutta percha cutting blade.
Designed to create a perfect master cone from nonfit Gutta Percha Point.
#Apical_gauge: for optimum apical seal and good apical control in warm vertical compaction obturation (continuous or wavy).
Due to many inquires, here is the description for assessing apical gauge.
1- All files of different manufacturers that have the same color (like red), they do have the same apical width or diameter (D0), but they differs in cross section & taper; (Like F one, Reciproc R25, ProTaper F2, K file #25; they differ in their taper, but all have the same apical diameter or D0, which is 0.25mm).
2- Prepared canal D0 diameter doesn’t necessarily correspond to final preparation file D0, considering the canal is irregular in shape and most canals are oval in cross section (in this case the canal is having two diameters, the smallest diameter corresponds to final file diameter).
3- In order to assess the exact diameter or D0 of the canal that we prepared using like F One, R25 or F2, we insert the corresponding K file (in this case K 25, which has the same D0 but less taper, in this way we ensure that only D0 of K file engages with D0 of prepared canal) into the same working length, then we apply simple tapping on the file; if it doesn't go more, our apical gauge is 0.25mm, if it goes more, we switch to the next size; K30. We repeat this process until we get that K file that enters to the full working length, & doesn't go more when we apply a simple tapping. Then we will have our measured apical gauge.
4- There are many rulers for assessing the D0 gauge of the Gutta Percha. We can use the corresponding Gutta percha of final preparation file & insert it into the hole of the gauge that we assessed. For example, we prepared the canal with F One #25/0.06 (it's D0 is 0.25mm & taper is 6%), and the apical gauge we got is 0.40mm by using k40.
5- By using the blade, we cut the extra Gutta percha. In our example, you can use #25/0.06 gutta percha, put it in hole 40, cut the extra, or you can use gutta percha 40 but lower taper, like 4%, & we can use accessory cones in lateral condensation (if needed). Then we continue with WVC or CWC.