Abstract:
INTRODUCTION : This study aimed to compare the
preparation times of three different glide path preparation
methods using nickel-titanium files in a rotary motion with
those achieved by manual stainless-steel K-files.
MATERIALS AND METHODS : ISO 15, 0.02 taper Endo-Training-
Blocks (n = 80) were selected and randomly divided into four
main groups (n = 20) for glide path preparations: Group 1:
with the rotary ProGlider instrument; Group 2: with stainlesssteel
hand K-files; Group 3: with rotary PathFiles; Group 4:
with rotary X-Plorer Navigation Files. The total time taken to
prepare the glide paths was recorded. The times required to
change instruments, irrigate, clean instruments, and for recapitulation
and re-irrigation were not recorded. The data were
statistically analysed using the ANOVA / Bonferroni test.
RESULTS : Stainless-steel hand K-files recorded the
longest preparation time (24.3s) (P<0.001). The ProGlider
instrument was significantly faster at the task at 11.3
seconds compared with all the other test groups (P<0.001).
There was no statistically significant difference between the
mean glide path preparation times recorded for PathFiles
and X-Plorer Canal Navigation Files (P>0.001).
CONCLUSION : PathFiles and X-Plorer Canal Navigation
Files were more efficient than hand K-files. The ProGlider
instrument achieved overall significantly shorter glide path
preparation times.
