\Dr. L. asks:
In every course that I take on endodontics, the lecturer always mentions using RC Prep [EDTA] (Premier) to dissolve soft tissue in the canal and to prevent soft tissue from bunching up and plugging the apical third. There are many different forms of RC Prep. When I was in dental school we used the paste form that came in a jar. You put the RC Prep on the file and inserted it into the canal space. I have also seen this in a liquid form that you syringe into the canal. What is the best way to use RC Prep? Is it really necessary to use RC Prep in every case?

>>Add Your Comment to This Post!

3 Responses to “ RC Prep: Should I Use This in Every Endo Case? ”

  • Tom Ryan DDS March 15th, 2009

    I am not an endodontist, so this is only my personal opinion. I use a canal lubricant while establishing a glide path only. Using a crown down technique, I then switch to 5.25% NaOCl, flushing between instruments, keeping the canal and chamber filled while filing.

  • Alfred dela Cruz, DDS March 24th, 2009

    I too am not an endodontist, but I almost always use RC prep or equivalent, especially in vital cases. I use Pulpdent’s RC Lube which is edta gel and lubricant. Doesn’t contain urea peroxide. In vital cases, I use it mainly so the pulp tissue does not re-adhere to the walls and to prevent tissue blockage. Buchanan says in doing so, you can keep patency. Also, with calcified canals, it helps with dissolving the calcium ions. I also use liquid edta. I first use a 10 file, then a 15, then I broach the tissue with XXXF (white) broaches. After I feel confident most of the tissue has been removed, I begin to establish glide path using 20, 25, and 30 to apical terminus, and then begin rotary. Without the lube, in my experience, it prevents or virtually eliminates rotary file separations much better than with sodium hypochlorite or even liquid edta. In fact, if you begin rotary after rinsing the lube with hypochlorite, the files “grab” really well, because most of the smear layer has been removed. It’s like a plate that has been soaped with Dawn detergent, it’s so clean it squeaks. Be careful using rotary right after rinsing the lube with hypochlorite, if a rotary file separates, it’s very difficult to remove.

  • Dr. Brady, DDS November 2nd, 2009

    I am not an endontist.
    I use a liquid EDTA solution w/ a lubricant gel for the same reason as my colleagues had listed above. I too follow Dr. Buchanan’s philosophies.


Leave a Comment

Note: Please refrain from ad hominem attacks, and promotional comments. Outside links are not permitted in comments. Though we require an email to route questionable comments to our editors, we will NEVER publish your email or use it for any other purpose. Thank you for your understanding.



Note: At times your comment may not appear on the website immediately, because it has been sent to our editors for approval. Once approved, we will publish the comment. There is NO need to resubmit your comment, if it does not appear on the website immediately.