Powered cleaning and shaping of root canals can be accomplished using either rotary or reciprocating files. These files are used with an endodontic handpiece in an ordered sequence. A variety of materials can be used to fabricate these files, but nickel-titanium is the most common because of the material’s ability bend and adapt to the shape of the canal and then return to its original shape. Most endodontic files are designed with a non-cutting tip, and often they can be sterilized for multiple uses. When selecting rotary or reciprocating files for your practice, make sure the system you choose will work with your endodontic handpiece.