title: Protaper--hybrid technique.
abstract: Crown down preparation is the most known and described technique since the introduction of Nickel Titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments in endodontics. This technique gives good results but has limitations, such as not addressing the initial anatomy of oval or dumb-bell shaped canals. The specific design of the Protaper instruments allows use of them with a different technique and, specifically, with a brushing motion in the body of the canal. The recent introduction of hand Protaper files has expanded the range of application of this system, especially in curved canals. The 'hybrid technique', using rotary and hand files, and the advantages of the combination of both instruments, are clearly described in this article. Used with this technique, the Protaper is a very safe system to use, and more controllable, for both inexperienced and experienced practitioners alike, than other systems.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To understand the precautions needed with rotary files, and how to use them to preserve the anatomy of the canal and get a tapered shaping, even in severely curved canals.
authors.affiliation: University of Birmingham School of Dentistry, UK.
authors.forename: Stephane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lumley
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tomson
authors.forename: Wilhelm-Joseph
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Pertot
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Machtou
mesh_terms: D003722:Dental Alloys; D003762:Dental Instruments; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D009532:Nickel; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D014025:Titanium
chemical_list: D003722:Dental Alloys; C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium