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[Evaluation of preparation of curved root canals using hand-used ProTaper]
Min Nie1, Xin-Chen Zhao, Bin Peng
1Department of Cariology and Endodontology, School of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China.
Objective:
To evaluate the shaping ability of hand-used ProTaper on curved canals using Endodontic Cube.
Methods:
Fifty-four curved root canals in vitro were selected and divided into three groups according to the curved degree (alpha), group A: 0 degrees < or = alpha < 25 degrees , group B: 25 degrees < or = alpha < 40 degrees , group C: 40 degrees < or = alpha < 55 degrees . Endodontic Cube was assembled, and each sample was sectioned perpendicular to the axis of the tooth into four sections with Isomer-Buhler in low speed. Then the root canals were prepared with hand-used ProTaper. Before and after shaping, photograph of all the sections were taken under a stereomicroscope. Statistical analyses were performed.
Results:
The dentin cutting quantity of the whole canal prepared with ProTaper in group B and C was larger than that of group A. The deviation distance of the whole canal prepared by ProTaper in group C was significantly larger than that in group A, and the deviation distance in middle portion larger than that in group B. The maintaining ability in the middle portion of group C by ProTaper was worse than that of group A and B.
Conclusions:
The curvature of root canal may increase the cutting quantity of the -dentin and reduce the ability of remaining original canal shape prepared by ProTaper.
