A set of at least three endodontic files, the first file of the set being entirely non-landed and tapered and having a diameter at its tip end which is smaller in diameter than that of a second and a third file of the set at their respective tip end, and the second and third files each having the following characteristics: a machined length, preferably 16 mm, having cutting surfaces thereon and starting at a tip end and extending less than the overall length of the file (preferably 25 mm) an active length starting at the tip end and extending to at least half of the machined length, the active length being tapered a non-active length extending a remainder of the machined length, the non-active length being non-tapered and the active length being landed in the first one-third and non-landed in the remaining two-thirds of its length.
