Effect of preflaring on canal transportation. Evaluation of ultrasonic, sonic, and conventional techniques

This study evaluated the effect on canal transportation when acrylic canals were preflared with Peeso reamers before the use of ultrasonic, sonic, and hand instrumentation techniques. Twenty resin blocks with simulated curved root canals were shaped with each technique to a size 40 file 0.5 mm from the apical foramen. Ten of the canals were preflared in the cervical region with No. 1 and No. 2 Peeso reamers before instrumentation; 10 canals that were not preflared served as controls. Transportation was measured on the inside canal curvature 3 mm from the canal orifice and 8 mm cervical to the working length, and on the outside canal curvature 1 mm cervical to the working length. Statistical analysis with Student's t test did not show a significant reduction in canal transportation for the preflared groups. In some areas the amount of transportation was less for the preflared groups; in other areas it was greater.