Abstract:
INTRODUCTION : The study compared modification of canal
curvature and the incidence of canal aberrations after
glide path preparation using four different instrumentation
techniques.
METHODS : One hundred and twenty S-shaped Endo-
Training-Blocks were selected, the canals coloured with ink
and digital images acquired. Glide paths were prepared by
a single operator with stainless steel K-files by hand (Group
1), stainless steel K-files in a reciprocating hand piece
(Group 2), PathFile (Group 3) and X-Plorer files (Group 4).
Pre-instrumentation and post-instrumentation images were
superimposed to evaluate the parameters investigated. The
images were also examined by three blinded operators for
the presence of aberrations. Differences in canal curvature
modification were analysed with respect to logarithmic
transformed change from baseline using ANCOVA (p<0.001)
with logarithmic transformed pre-instrumentation values as
covariate. The incidence of canal aberrations was analyzed
using Fisher’s exact test (p<0.05).
RESULTS : There was no difference between PathFiles and
X-Plorer files (p<0.001) and both systems demonstrated
significantly less modification of curvature compared with
hand files and hand files in a reciprocating hand-piece
(p<0.001). The Groups differed significantly regarding the
number of aberrations (p=0.005). Hand files and hand files in the reciprocating hand piece did not differ statistically
(p=0.254; 20% and 6.67%). However, hand files in
reciprocating hand piece also did not differ significantly
from PathFiles and X-Plorer files (p=0.326). There were no
aberrations detected in the rotary NiTi Groups.
CONCLUSION : The stainless steel K-files in the reciprocating
hand-piece performed better than their use by hand only.
Overall, PathFiles and X-Plorer files equally demonstrated
the least modification to original canal geometry. Further research utilising the different techniques in extracted
teeth is warranted.
