2.

STEP-BACK TECHNIQUE: (Telescopic preparation)

- It begins the preparation at the apex and working back up the canal coronally with larger and
larger instruments.
- The step-back technique creates a tapered preparation.
- Step-back technique includes three phases.
- In phase I (Apical preparation phase) the motion used is a rotation motion (reaming, watch
winding) and its aim is to prepare the apical portion of the canal.
- In phase II & III (Step back and Coronal flaring phases), the motion used is the filing
motion along the circumference of the canal (circumferential filing). The aim of phase two is to enlarge and
flare the middle and coronal two thirds of the canal (flaring phase).
- The technique is described as follows:
Phase I (apical preparation)
* Based on the tooth length determination, select the INITIAL FILE to start your cleaning and shaping. The
initial file should reach the working length with slight resistance at the apical third.

* The initial file is inserted inside the canal to the full working length using a watch winding motion (Back &
forth motion).
* This action is repeated until the file is totally loose inside the canal, make sure that you irrigate frequently
during preparation.
*This procedure is repeated at least three sizes larger than the initial file. The largest file reaching the full
working length is "MASTER APICAL FILE" (MAF).
Phase II & III (step back and coronal flaring)
* The next step would be to step backward using the larger size files while shortening the working length to
obtain a flared preparation.
* Move the file in a circumferential filing motion to smoothen the dentin walls.
* Irrigate the canal and go back again to the MAF placing it to the full working length in watch winding motion
and carry the collected debris outside the canal to avoid canal blockage. Then shorten the MAF 1mm than
working length with circumferential filing motion on walls to smoothen the formed steps. This is what we call
"RECAPITULATION".
* Step backward again with a larger file, irrigate and recapitulate (5 successive sizes larger than MAF).
N.B.: Engine driven tools (Gates Glidden drill) can be used in phase II and III to achieve fast and efficient
cutting.
 Hybrid Technique

1.Scouting the canal with patency files (10,15)

2.Preparation of coronal 1/3 using: gates glidden size 3 and 2

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6
#50 #70 #90 #110 #130 #150 K-file

Rules :

• Patency till size #20 before using GG ( glyde path )

• Patency and irrigation between each size

• Enter with direction of canal

• Brushing motion on walls away from furcation

• Avoid apical pressure

Stop at beginning of curves

 • Gates Glidden burs

• Flame shaped head.

• Safe ended non cutting tip.
• 6 sizes (#1-#6).
• Tend to screw themselves inside the canal.
• Most effective cutting in brushing motion.

3.Working length determination

4.Apical preparation using manual files

Apical preparation
IAF till MAF

5.Stepping back

#45 3mm short of WL

#40 2mm short of WL
MAF Recapitulation +
Irrigation