# Reciproc® blue

> Blue Heat-Treated, Pre-Bendable Reciprocation

- **Manufacturer:** VDW GmbH
- **Motion:** Reciprocating
- **Alloy:** M-Wire NiTi with Blue heat treatment
- **Key feature:** Single-file reciprocating system with 40% increased flexibility vs original Reciproc and pre-bend memory

## Specifications

| File | Tip (mm) | Taper | Length | Cross-section | Motion | Speed (rpm) | Torque | Role |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| R25 | 0.25 | 8%v (regressive) | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | S-shaped | Reciprocating | Reciprocating | — | — |
| R40 | 0.40 | 6%v (regressive) | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | S-shaped | Reciprocating | Reciprocating | — | — |
| R50 | 0.50 | 5%v (regressive) | 21mm, 25mm, 31mm | S-shaped | Reciprocating | Reciprocating | — | — |

## Protocol

### Glide Path

1. **Select Instrument Size** — Review radiographs to determine canal width, length, and curvature. If canal partially/completely invisible = narrow = R25. If canal visible: passively insert ISO 30 hand file; if it reaches WL = wide = R50. If ISO 30 doesn't reach, try ISO 20; if it reaches = medium = R40. Otherwise = narrow = R25 (per 2024 IFU step 1).
   - R25 is suitable for the majority of cases (per brochure)
   - Passively = instrument goes to WL without watch-winding, 4-5mm amplitude up-and-down (per IFU)
   - Reciproc Blue can be pre-bent for easier canal access (per step-by-step card)
2. **Glide Path (Optional)** — Reciproc Blue can be used without initial hand filing to create a glide path in the majority of cases (paradigm shift per brochure). Optionally create glide path with R-Pilot or C-PILOT/K-file to ISO 10-15 for added safety. _(File: R-Pilot or C-PILOT/K-files (optional))_
   - R-Pilot is specifically designed for Reciproc (per brochure)
   - No glide path needed in majority of cases - reciprocating motion prevents binding past elastic limit (per brochure)
   - Use lubricant such as NaOCl, EDTA, ProLube, or Glyde (per 2024 IFU Section 6)

### Shaping

1. **Reciprocating Shaping** — Use RECIPROC ALL mode. Create straight-line access to canal orifice(s). Place irrigant in access cavity, introduce instrument, press foot pedal when orifice is reached. Slow in-and-out pecking motion, amplitude not exceeding 3mm. Remove after 3 pecks, clean flutes, irrigate, verify canal is free 1mm beyond prepared section with ISO 10 C-PILOT file (per 2024 IFU steps 2-8). _(File: Selected Reciproc Blue file (R25/R40/R50) · RECIPROC ALL mode · Reciprocating (slow in-and-out pecking))_
   - Only very light apical pressure - instrument will advance easily (per IFU step 6)
   - 3 pecks then withdraw, clean, irrigate, verify with ISO 10 (per step-by-step card)
   - Prepare to approx. 2/3 of estimated WL, then determine exact WL electronically (per IFU step 9)
   - Can use brushing motion to enlarge root canal entrance if necessary (per IFU step 7)
   - Non-cutting tip provides gentle treatment near apex (per brochure)
   - ⚠ Never force file if it does not advance — clean, irrigate, recapitulate with hand file (per IFU)
   - ⚠ Never use continuous rotation (per brochure)

### Finishing

1. **Gauge Foramen and Verify** — Gauge the foramen with a hand instrument one ISO size larger than the Reciproc Blue that reached WL. If snug at length, preparation is finished. If loose, use next Reciproc Blue size and gauge again (per 2024 IFU step 10).
   - R25 = gauge with ISO 30 hand file
   - R40 = gauge with ISO 50 hand file
   - R50 = gauge with ISO 60 hand file
   - If gauge is loose, upsize Reciproc Blue and repeat shaping technique
2. **Obturation** — Use dedicated Reciproc Blue paper points to dry canals and dedicated Reciproc Blue Gutta-Percha master cones (R25/R40/R50) to obturate (per 2024 IFU step 11).
   - Verify tug-back with master cone before obturation
   - GUTTAFUSION for Reciproc Blue also available for carrier-based obturation (per brochure)

## Clinical Tips

- Increased flexibility vs original Reciproc — manufacturer reports ~40% improvement (product page FAQ; exact figure not independently verified)
- M-Wire NiTi base with innovative post-machining Blue heat treatment modifies molecular structure for increased cyclic fatigue resistance (per IFU / Scientific Manual)
- Can be pre-bent and will maintain shape during use — aids access in difficult cases (per step-by-step card)
- S-shaped cross-section with variable taper and non-cutting tip designed specifically for reciprocation (per brochure)
- One file shapes entire canal — R25 for most cases, no instrument changes during preparation (per brochure)
- R25 can initiate shaping without prior glide path in most cases, but ISO #10 scouting to WL and glide path to ISO #15 may still be needed if scout file must be pre-bent or cannot reach length (per IFU/brochure)
- If file does not progress, stop and reassess — do not force; clean flutes, irrigate, recapitulate (per IFU)
- Handle is non-autoclavable — safety feature to prevent reuse and metal fatigue from over-use (per brochure)
- Files may appear slightly curved from manufacturing — normal, not a defect; no need to straighten (per 2024 IFU Section 4)
- For extremely curved canals, use file for single canal only to reduce breakage risk (per 2024 IFU Section 7.2)
- Also suitable for retreatment — R25 removes gutta-percha and carrier-based fillings; use brushing motion against lateral walls (per 2024 IFU Section 8.2)

## Warnings

- Single use only — do not reprocess or reuse; for extremely curved canals, use file for one canal only (per 2024 IFU)
- Use only with reciprocating motion (RECIPROC ALL mode) — never continuous rotation
- Contains nickel — do not use on patients with known nickel allergy (per 2024 IFU Section 7.1)
- Do not fully immerse in NaOCl — only working part in max 5% concentration (per 2024 IFU Section 7.2)
- Do not use in canals with abrupt apical curvature — use pre-curved hand files instead (per 2024 IFU Section 7.1)
- Inspect for distortion, untwisting, unwinding, corrosion, or damaged cutting edges before each use — discard if defects noted (per 2024 IFU Section 7.2)
- Never force file down canal — always use minimal apical pressure (per 2024 IFU Section 7.2)

## Best for

- severely curved canals
- cases needing a flexible reciprocating file
- pre-bendable files

## Technical profile

- **Category:** single-file-reciprocating
- **Heat treatment:** Blue Heat-Treated — M-Wire NiTi base with innovative post-machining Blue heat treatment — modifies molecular structure for increased flexibility and enhanced cyclic fatigue resistance vs original RECIPROC (per IFU Composition / product page)
- **Manufacturing method:** ground
- **Pre-bendable:** yes
- **Reuse:** Single-use
- **Motor:** specific-motor — VDW endo motors: VDW.CONNECT Drive, VDW.GOLD RECIPROC, VDW.SILVER RECIPROC (RECIPROC ALL mode)
- **Reciprocation angles:** 150° CCW / 30° CW
- **Glide path requirement:** optional — Scout with #10 K-file to WL first. If scout passes easily: no glide path needed, proceed with R25. If pre-bending needed or #10 cannot reach WL: expand to ISO #15 with R-Pilot or C-PILOT before shaping.
- **Canal suitability:** Curvature: mild, moderate, severe; Canal size: narrow, normal, wide; Calcified canals: yes; Retreatment: yes; Conservative access: no
- **Matching gutta-percha:** Reciproc blue Gutta-Percha Master Cones (R25, R40, R50)
- **Matching paper points:** Reciproc blue Paper Points (R25, R40, R50)
- **Content revision:** 2026-02-15

## FAQ

**What alloy is Reciproc Blue made from?**

Reciproc® blue is manufactured from M-Wire NiTi with Blue heat treatment.

**How many files are in the Reciproc Blue sequence?**

The Reciproc® blue system includes 3 files: R25, R40, R50.

**What is the Reciproc Blue file sequence?**

Reciproc® blue offers these files: R25, R40, R50. One shaping file is selected per canal according to the DFU; the protocol section above shows the starting file.

**What motion type does Reciproc Blue use?**

Reciproc® blue uses reciprocating motion.

**What cases is Reciproc Blue best for?**

Reciproc® blue is best suited for: severely curved canals, cases needing a flexible reciprocating file, pre-bendable files.

**What speed and torque settings are recommended for Reciproc Blue?**

Reciproc® blue uses reciprocating motion with manufacturer-specific motor settings (refer to official DFU for exact parameters).

## References

- [Manufacturer instructions for use (DFU/IFU)](https://www.dentsplysirona.com/content/dam/master/product-procedure-brand-categories/endodontics/product-categories/full-solutions/reciproc-blue/ifu/END-IFU-RECIPROC-BLUE-SINGLE-USE-STERILE-TDS-V01-WEB-NAM-EN-2024-10.pdf)
- [PubMed 29354251](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29354251/)
- [PubMed 30144990](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30144990/)
- [PubMed 31857861](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31857861/)
- [PubMed 33403340](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33403340/)
- [PubMed 33408823](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33408823/)

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_Educational reference for dental professionals. Always confirm settings against the official manufacturer instructions for use before clinical procedures._