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32 I I clinical technique _ WaveOne CaseIV(Figs.17a–c) Tooth #16 presented with radiographic evidence ofasymptomaticapicalperiodontitis.Thecanalswere hardlyvisibleonthepreoperativeX-ray.TheMBcanal was severely curved, and the distobuccal (DB) and palatal canals were not visible. A 10 K-file moved to length easily in the MB and DB canals. In the palatal canal, 10 and 15 K-files moved to length easily. A WaveOne Primary file (25.08) was selected for all canals. Lengths were confirmed and the canals were shaped to length with WaveOne files. In tooth #15, a large, single canal was clearly visi- ble. 20 and 25 K-files went to length and a WaveOne Largefile(40.08)wasselected.Canallengthwascon- firmedandtheWaveOneLargefilewasusedtoshape the canal. _Advantages of the WaveOne file reciprocating system 1. onlyoneNiTiinstrumentperrootcanalandinmost cases per tooth; 2. lower cost; 3. less instrument separation owing to the unique reciprocating movement that will prevent and/or delaytheinstrumentadvancingfromplasticdefor- mation to its plastic limit; 4. decreases global shaping time, allowing the clini- cian to spend more time cleaning the root-canal system with enhanced irrigation techniques; 5. eliminates procedural errors by using a single instrument rather than using multiple files; 6. a new standard of care, eliminating the possibility of prion contamination owing to single use; 7. easy to learn; 8. easy to teach. _WaveOne research The Nova Southeastern University College of Den- tal Medicine in the USA is conducting research into WaveOne. The following areas of research, amongst others, are being investigated using micro-focus CT scanning technology, which provides remarkable in- sight into: 1. canal-centring ability of WaveOne13 (Figs. 18a–c); 2. remaining canal wall thickness after instrumenta- tion with WaveOne;14 3. final shape versus initial shape of the canal with WaveOne;15 4.canalwallcleanlinesswithWaveOne16 (Figs.19a–c). Other areas of research are flexibility,17 fatigue18 and debris extrusion.19 To date, the results of these studies suggest that WaveOne single reciprocating files are comparable in performance to all the major leadingbrandsofNiTifilesthatoperateincontinuous rotation. _Conclusion TheWaveOnesystemisanexcitingnewconceptin the preparation of the root canal. Whilst current teaching advocates the use of multiple NiTi files of different diameter and taper to gradually enlarge the root canal, only one WaveOne single shaping file is required to prepare the canal to an adequate size and taper, even in narrow and curved canals. However, along with this, there must be a caveat. WaveOnefilesonlyshapethecanal,extremelyquickly in many instances, but they do not clean the root canal. It is the duty of teachers, clinicians and manu- facturers to emphasise the role and importance of Figs. 18a–c_Micro-focus CT scan at coronal level (a), mid-root level (b) and apical level (c) of the mesial canals of the lower first molar demonstrates the excellent centring and shaping ability of the WaveOne Primary file. Figs. 19a–c_A SEM representative sample at coronal level (a), mid-root level (b) and apical level (c) of the canal wall, showing excellent cleanliness and open dentinal tubules after shaping with a WaveOne Primary file and assisted irrigation with the EndoActivator. roots1_2011 Fig. 18a Fig. 18b Fig. 18c Fig. 19a Fig. 19b Fig. 19c