Consultants’ Comments
- “Nice idea to try to agitate the irrigant throughout the canal.”
- “I was surprised that the brush was able to get down some of the smaller canals.”
- “Plastic bent easily and looked like it got warped by the friction of the canal.”
- “I prefer to use it to place post cements rather than to clean to the apex of a canal.”
Description
The Hygenic CanalBrush is a flexible microbrush made of polypropylene. Designed to be flexible and small, it has plastic projections that help force rinsing solutions to areas of the canal that might not be reached by files. The brush can be used by hand or in a contra-angle handpiece at a maximum speed of 600 rpm. Initial canal preparation must be of an ISO 30/0.04 size before use of the brush. Twenty-four consultants evaluated the Hygenic CanalBrush in over 250 clinical cases. This product received an 83% clinical rating.
Product Features
The flexible plastic design of the Hygenic CanalBrush allows the brush to extend into narrow canals with some ease. Using the brush appears to help force the irrigation liquid to areas that might not normally be agitated while simply rinsing. Some consultants found that the plastic tended to bend easily and twists in canals. According to the manufacturer, this happens when Hygenic CanalBrush is placed too deeply in the canal and binds. Most consultants found that the Hygenic CanalBrush was an excellent instrument for the placement of adhesives and cements. Sixty-six percent of the consultants rated the Hygenic CanalBrush equivalent to or better than the current technique they were using for cleaning canals and/or placing cement. Fifty-eight percent of consultants would recommend it and 38% would switch to the Hygenic CanalBrush.
Clinical Tips
- Run the handpiece in reverse when using the brush to help bring cement to the apical parts of the tooth. Like a lentulo spiral, the brush works better when in reverse.
Editors’ Note:
Since we began this evaluation, the manufacturer has added rubber stops to the Hygenic CanalBrush package to make it easier to determine insertion length.
