Lentulo spiral
Encyclopedia
A Lentulo spiral is a dental instrument used to properly distribute root canal sealer and cement evenly throughout the root canal system, as when performing endodontic therapy or a post and core
cementation.
The instrument has an atypical left-handed screw threading (like the screw in the left pedal of a bicycle) so that the application of sealer or cement will flow down the tip of the spiral when the slow-speed is in forward mode.
A common criticism of the lentulo spiral is that the long term failures resulting from marginally poorer cement/sealer distribution are less problematic than the possibility of the spiral breaking inside the root canal. Proper use, maintenance, and disposal of old instruments should minimize breakage however.
Maillefer’s Lentulo spiral, produced by Dentsply
, is the only one licensed to use the Lentulo name; however, the term is generally used to refer to any of the various brands of root canal sealer and cement distributing spirals.
Post and core
A post and core is a dental restoration used to sufficiently build-up tooth structure for future restoration with a crown when there is not enough tooth structure to properly retain the crown, due to loss of tooth structure to either decay or fracture...
cementation.
The instrument has an atypical left-handed screw threading (like the screw in the left pedal of a bicycle) so that the application of sealer or cement will flow down the tip of the spiral when the slow-speed is in forward mode.
A common criticism of the lentulo spiral is that the long term failures resulting from marginally poorer cement/sealer distribution are less problematic than the possibility of the spiral breaking inside the root canal. Proper use, maintenance, and disposal of old instruments should minimize breakage however.
Maillefer’s Lentulo spiral, produced by Dentsply
Dentsply
Dentsply International is an American dental equipment maker and dental consumables producer that markets its products in over 120 countries . It is a leader in consumable dental products....
, is the only one licensed to use the Lentulo name; however, the term is generally used to refer to any of the various brands of root canal sealer and cement distributing spirals.