Cleaner Canals in Less Time

Nishan Odabashian, DMD, MS, on DenMat’s Hartzell® Gutta-Percha Removal Instruments

Nishan Odabashian, DMD, MS

I graduated from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1991 and after practicing preventive and restorative dentistry until 1999, matriculated at the Loma Linda School of Dentistry's Department of Graduate Endodontics. I received my specialty certificate in endodontics in 2001, completed my Master of Science degree in endodontics 2003, and have been practicing endodontics ever since. Currently, I also serve as the district VII director for the American Academy of Endodontists (AAE). At one of the annual AAE meetings, I discovered DenMat's Hartzell^® Gutta-Percha Removal Instruments. I perform more than the average number of re-treatments of previously performed root canal procedures, so this product caught my attention. I have been using it ever since.

1.Hartzell's Gutta-Percha Removal Instruments feature a thin, flexible, microscopic (ie, 0.6 mm) retrieval hook at the tip, designed to conform to the root's shape and provide easy access through the canal. 2.Using a minimally invasive alternative to remove gutta-percha preserves structural integrity and extends the longevity of the tooth. 3.With Hartzell Gutta-Percha Removal Instruments, the existing dentin is protected, and the length of the procedure is reduced.

Do the instruments simplify your practice?
Yes. Sometimes the instruments allow me to pull out all of the compacted gutta-percha in one piece, which is a great outcome.

How is the Hartzell lineunique?
It comes in two different sizes, and the "hooks" at each end are oriented buccolingually and mesiodistally, facilitating easier access.

Why should clinicians try these instruments?
I recommend them because of the time savings and the cleanliness of the canal after gutta-percha removal.