System B - Buchanan Protocol

The Buchanan "Continuous Wave of Condensation" Technique

Downpacking with the System-B Heat Source

1. Choose the System-B Plugger that matches the gutta percha cone fit in the canal. Place a rubber stop on the plugger, and prefit to its binding point in the canal (usually 5-7 mm short of length). Adjust the stop to the highest reference point and remove the plugger. The pluggers are dead-soft stainless steel and can be bent to follow the canal curvature.

2. Dry the canal cut the gutta percha 0.5mm short and cement the cone in the canal. With the System-B Heat Source turned to "use", place it in the touch mode, set the temperature to 200° C and dial the power setting to 10.

3. Sear the cone at the orifice with the tip of the pre-heated System-B Plugger and remove

4. Use the larger end of the Buchanan Hand Plugger to compact the softened gutta percha at the orifice.

5. Push the cold System-B Plugger against the gutta percha, then activate the touch spring, driving the heated plugger smoothly through the gutta percha to within 3-4mm of the binding point. Release the switch. Note: This downpack stroke should take 1.5 -3.5 seconds, but always less than 4 seconds, for safety. At this point, all lateral and accessory canals are filled.

6. The System-B Plugger will slow its apical movement and stop just shy of the binding point (about 1mm short). Maintain firm apical pressure for a 10 second "sustained push" to take up any shrinkage that might occur upon cooling of the apical mass of gutta percha.

7. Still maintaining apical pressure, push the touch spring again for a full 1 second. Release the switch, pause for a full 1 second, then quickly withdraw the plugger. Note: Because the System-B Pluggers heat from their tips back, the heat burst in this portion of the procedure causes rapid severance of the instrument and the coronal surplus of gutta percha from the already condensed and set apical mass.

8. After removal of the System-B Plugger, introduce the small flexible end of the appropriate Buchanan Hand Plugger. With pressure, confirm that the apical mass of gutta percha has not dislodged, but has cooled and set. The canal is now ready for backfill by any means you prefer. If you need a post space, you're done!

Cone Back Filling with System-B Heat Source

1. Place a backfill cone coated with sealer (the same size as the plugger used for the downpack), into the empty backfill space. Make sure the sealer coats the backfill space

2. Set the System-B Heat Source temperature to 100°C and the power dial to 10. Using the same plugger used fir the downpack momentarily (about 0.5 seconds) activate the touch spring. Then, firmly push the System-B Plugger into the backfilling cone. The plugger typically penetrates halfway into the backfill space.

3. Hold for 5 seconds. Maintaining apical pressure, rotate the System-B Plugger to break it loose. Now, with light back -pressure, rotate the plugger again to separate it from the condensed backfill cone. Note: The low temperature setting and the momentary heat cycle allows the backfilling gutta percha to be condensed without heating it to a sticky state, which could cause it to pull out.

4. Place the second backfill cone with sealer into the remaining backfill space left by the System-B Plugger.

5. Turn the temperature back up to 200°C and sear the cone off at the orifice level. Remove the surplus material with the System-B Plugger.

6. Place the larger end of the Buchanan Hand Plugger against the gutta percha and with firm pressure condense the apical mass at the orifice level.

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