Manual verification of the glidepath is extremely important when using the SAF. The verification of the ability of the SAF to reach working length should be done before attaching the SAF to the handpiece head.
EDTA lubricant (i.e. Glyde, RC prep, etc.) may be used when first introducing the SAF into the canal for glidepath verification. The SAF should only be inserted into the canal with a mild manual force, using pecking motion. Note: No “watch winding” or rotation movements should be used.
The manual verification has two roles:
A. To confirm that the SAF can be inserted to working length. Since the SAF has an asymmetrical structure, the flexibility of its tip varies in different directions. In narrow and curved canals, certain circular positions of the SAF will allow it to penetrate all the way to working length, while in other positions it might not, at this initial stage.
If the SAF does not go to working length in the first manual verification attempt – pull it out from the canal until it unbinds from the canal walls, realign it by 90 degrees rotation and try to re-insert it. This realignment shifts the position of the SAF inside the canal and may allow it to go past the curvature and all the way to working length, using a slightly different circular position.
Up to 4 realignment attempts may be required for this examination – each with an unbound SAF and with a ~90 degrees rotation. The goal is to assure that the SAF can reach working length in at least one of these positions. If the SAF cannot reach working length in any of the attempts, make sure that no residual pulp tissue prevents it from entering the canal, and if necessary, re-establish the glidepath.
Note that in narrow and curved canals, just the same as in the manual verification, during its initial motorized operation the SAF might not reach working length in every inbound stroke. However, as long as it does so in some of the inbound strokes, eventually it will smoothen the curvature and be able to reach working length at each of the pecking motions. It is advised to observe the file during operation, to assure the circular repositioning of the SAF, as indicated by the rotation of the colored stripe on the rubber stopper.
B. 
To examine the root canal's vertical axis. The SAF should be operated according to the vertical axis of the canal, otherwise it might buckle, a phenomenon which might (a) prevent it from reaching working length and (b) inflict unnecessary stress on the file.
Insert the SAF to working length, release it and inspect the direction of the SAF's shank. The shank should show the direction of the vertical axis, with no interference from the margins of the access cavity.
Then, during the motorized operation of the SAF, make sure that the pecking motions follow the vertical axis with no buckling.
