Apical Gauge File (AGF)Apical Gauge File (AGF)

DefinitionDefinition The Largest NiTi 0.04 Hand File that The Largest NiTi 0.04 Hand File that

fits at Corrected Working Length after fits at Corrected Working Length after Access to the Apical Third has been Access to the Apical Third has been accomplished.accomplished.

Please note that NO INSTRUMENTATION of Please note that NO INSTRUMENTATION of the Apical Third has occurred.the Apical Third has occurred.

Negotiation only with “twiddling” motion, NOT Negotiation only with “twiddling” motion, NOT reaming or filing.reaming or filing.

Apical Gauge File (AGF)Apical Gauge File (AGF)RationaleRationale To help when initial Working Length To help when initial Working Length

Determination requires modificationDetermination requires modification To prevent over-instrumentation potentially To prevent over-instrumentation potentially

caused by increase in working length after caused by increase in working length after Straight Line Access is accomplished Straight Line Access is accomplished (Schroeder et al. 2002), especially in curved (Schroeder et al. 2002), especially in curved canals.canals.

a

b

cFile is same length, but now potentially extrudes out the apexSchroeder KP, Walton RE, & Rivera

EM. J Endod. 2002;28:474.

Pre-Op WL WL angled

AGF; Long on P.Readjusted length

Trial Pack Obturation.Sealer extruded

Pre-Op WL AGF; Long on P.Readjusted length

Trial Pack Obturation.Sealer extruded

Note: Over-Instrumentation of the Palatal canal would have occurred if AGF film had not been evaluated.

Apical Gauge File (AGF)Apical Gauge File (AGF)How to DetermineHow to Determine Use NiTi 0.04 Hand FilesUse NiTi 0.04 Hand Files

151520 20 25 25 30 30 35 (does not go to length)35 (does not go to length)30 would be the AGF30 would be the AGF

Note that it is not required to make the WL Note that it is not required to make the WL Film, AGF Film, and MAF Film in every caseFilm, AGF Film, and MAF Film in every case

Apical Gauge File (AGF)Apical Gauge File (AGF)How to RecordHow to Record

Start Instrumentation of the Apical Third with the Start Instrumentation of the Apical Third with the AGF at Actual Working Length.AGF at Actual Working Length.Determine need for MAF vs Trial Pack RadiographDetermine need for MAF vs Trial Pack Radiograph

Canal RefCusp

EWL(mm)

CanalNegotiation

(yes/no)

WL FileSize

(usu. SS)

CWL(mm)

Access toApical 1/3

(yes/no)

AGF FileSize

(usu. NiTi)

AGF FileLength

(mm)

AWL(mm)

Apical Prep(Stop/Open)

MAF FileSize

(usu. NiTi)

MAF FileLength

(mm)

ObturationAcceptable

(yes/no)