Which instrument is employed to locate the canals?

The endo explorer is specifically designed for locating the canals within a tooth during root canal therapy. This instrument has a thin, pointed tip that allows the dental professional to navigate through the pulp chamber and find the entrance to each canal. It is essential in endodontics because accurately identifying the canals is critical for successful treatment and to ensure that all infected tissue is removed.

The other instruments listed serve different purposes in dental procedures. For instance, the gutta percha spreader is used to compact gutta percha into the canals after they have been cleaned and shaped, ensuring that they are filled properly. The Glick is primarily used for the removal of excess gutta percha or to aid in the placement of material, while the irrigating syringe is utilized for delivering irrigation solutions to cleanse the canals during the procedure. Each of these instruments is important in its own right, but none are intended for the specific task of locating canals, which is why the endo explorer is the correct choice here.