Comparison of preparation times of three different rotary glide path instrument systems

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.