Comparison Table for Endodontic Hand Files
| Item | Brand | Material | Length | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Patterson® K-Files | Stainless Steel | 25 mm | – 0.02 Taper<br>- Pre-applied silicone stops, color coded by length<br>- Square cutting blades in smaller sizes and triangular cutting blades in largest sizes<br>- Conical, noncutting tip follows canal curve<br>- Reduced risk of ledging |
| 2 | READY•STEEL™ Flexofile® Files | Stainless Steel | Sterile | – Perforated and individually labeled for easy storage and identification<br>- Single use only<br>- Dispensed in ready to use presterilized blister packs<br>- Used with regular ISO files for gradual movement to the next file size up<br>- ISO color coded<br>- Triangular blank for increased flexibility<br>- Safe-ended non-cutting Batt Tip<br>- Pre-inserted silicone stops with notching for guidance in curved canals |
| 3 | Patterson® C-Files | Stainless Steel | 0.02 Taper | – Ideal for entering sharply curved or calcified areas<br>- Blunt, nonaggressive tip for safe instrumentation<br>- Color-coded plastic handles for easy identification |
| 4 | K-Flex Files Color Coded Plastic Handle | Stainless Steel | 25 mm | – Smooth tactile sense inside the canal<br>- Unique rhomboid design for flexibility and cross-sectional strength<br>- More flexible than conventional files in sizes #30 and above<br>- Facilitates negotiation of curved canals with minimal potential for ledging and perforating |
| 5 | K Type Files | Stainless Steel | 25 mm | – Are an endodontic tool designed to offer superior cutting efficiency and precision handling during instrumentation. They feature a twisted design and are manufactured from a square blank to clean and shape the root canals. |
| 6 | C-Files – Dentsply Maillefer | Stainless Steel | N/A | – Indicated for instrumentation of calcified canals during root canal retreatment<br>- Heat-tempered steel for stiff performance<br>- Twisted file design for greater strength<br>- Eases penetration of calcified canals |
| 7 | Patterson® Hedstrom Files | Stainless Steel | 25 mm | – Stainless steel, made in Germany<br>- Preapplied silicone stops, color coded by length<br>- Flexibility and high torsion strength due to optimal geometry and design<br>- Custom designed helix angle for each size instrument |
| 8 | READY•STEEL™ C+ Files | Stainless Steel | N/A | – For instrumentation of highly calcified canals and root canal retreatment<br>- Enhanced cutting efficiency<br>- Unique design for improved performance<br>- Heat-treated stainless steel for strength and flexibility<br>- Presterilized blister packs for convenience |
| 9 | C-Files – Roydent Dental | Stainless Steel | N/A | – LC-Files (endodontic hand files) have pre-applied silicone stops that are color coded by length. |
| 10 | READY•STEEL™ Hedstrom Files | Stainless Steel | N/A | – Used for probing, permeabilization or extraction of debris during root canal retreatment. They come presterilized to not only ensure patient safety but reduce procedure preparation time. |
1. Patterson® K-Files – 25 mm Length
Patterson K-Files are made in Germany of stainless steel. K-Files are hand files used in endodontics as part of root canal procedures.
- 0.02 Taper
- 25 mm Length
- Pre-applied silicone stops, color coded by length
- Square cutting blades in smaller sizes and triangular cutting blades in largest sizes provide safety, flexibility and sharpness
- Conical, noncutting tip follows canal curve, providing reduced risk of ledging
2. READY•STEEL™ Flexofile® Files – Stainless Steel, Sterile – Dentsply Maillefer
READY•STEEL™ Flexofile® Files are intermediate-sized, shaping hand files designed with enhanced flexibility for effortless cleaning and shaping of even the most challenging canals during endodontic procedures.
- Perforated and individually labeled for easy storage and identification
- Single use only
- Dispensed in ready to use presterilized blister packs, saving time and money
- Used with regular ISO files for gradual movement to the next file size up
- ISO color coded
- Made from triangular blank for increased flexibility
- Decreased chance of ledging due to safe-ended non-cutting Batt Tip
- Pre-inserted silicone stops with notching provide guidance for instruments prebended around curves
3. Patterson® C-Files – 0.02 Taper, Stainless Steel
Patterson C-Files are endodontic hand files that are ideally suited for entering sharply curved or calcified areas. These files are stainless steel and have a blunt, nonaggressive tip to allow the instrument to safely follow the canal to the apex. They also have color-coded plastic handles for easy identification.
4. K-Flex Files Color Coded Plastic Handle – Length 25 mm – Kerr Endodontics
K-Flex Files are an endodontic tool designed to give a smooth tactile sense inside the canal during instrumentation. They feature a unique rhomboid design, which provides a short axis for flexibility while maintaining cross-sectional strength. K-Flex is more flexible than conventional files of comparable size, particularly in sizes #30 and above, which facilitates the negotiation of curved canals and their preparation with minimal potential for ledging and perforating.
5. K Type Files – Stainless Steel, Color Coded Plastic Handle, 25 mm Length – Dentsply Maillefer
K Type Files are an endodontic tool designed to offer superior cutting efficiency and precision handling during instrumentation. They feature a twisted design and are manufactured from a square blank to clean and shape the root canals.
6. C-Files – Stainless Steel – Dentsply Maillefer
These stainless steel C-Files are indicated for the instrumentation of calcified canals during root canal retreatment.
- Heat-tempered steel for stiff performance
- Twisted file design for greater strength
- Eases penetration of calcified canals
7. Patterson® Hedstrom Files – 25 mm, 0.02 Taper
Hedstrom files are endodontic hand files commonly used during root canal procedures.
- Stainless steel, made in Germany
- Preapplied silicone stops, color coded by length
- Flexibility and high torsion strength due to optimal geometry and design
- Custom designed helix angle for each size instrument
8. READY•STEEL™ C+ Files – Stainless Steel, Sterile – Dentsply Maillefer
Dentsply Maillefer’s READY•STEEL™ C+ File is for the instrumentation of highly calcified canals and root canal retreatment. They come presterilized to not only ensure paitient safety but reduce procedure preparation time.
- Depth gauge makes it easier to determine the working length when working with X-rays
- Pyramid-shape tip allows for easier penetration during catheterization
- Polished; provides better debris removal and smoother insertion of the instrument in the canal
- Perforated
- Individually labeled
9. C-Files – Stainless Steel – Roydent Dental
C-Files (endodontic hand files) have pre-applied silicone stops that are color coded by length.
- Stiff, yet flexible
- Heat-tempered steel for stiffness
- Sharp edges twisted to the tip
- Breaks through calcification
- Creates initial access
10. READY•STEEL™ Hedstrom Files – Stainless Steel, Sterile – Dentsply Maillefer
Dentsply Maillefer’s READY•STEEL™ Hedstrom File is used for probing, permeabilization or extraction of debris during root canal retreatment. They come presterilized to not only ensure patient safety but reduce procedure preparation time.
- Stainless steel
- ISO color-coded plastic handles
- Designed with cutting edge that is sharper and more precise than the cutting surface of most conventional endodontic instruments
- Comes in sterile blister packs
- Reduces risk of cross-contamination
- Silicone stoppers
