Changes in centring and shaping ability using three nickel–titanium instrumentation techniques analysed by...

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science

Background:

• Endodontic treatment success relies on effective root canal preparation.
• Optimizing instrumentation techniques is crucial for achieving centered preparations and minimizing procedural errors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the shaping and centering abilities of ProTaper (PT) files in reciprocating motion versus PT and Twisted Files (TF) in continuous rotary motion.
• To evaluate root canal volume changes using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) for different instrumentation techniques.

Main Methods:

• Sixty mesial root canals of mandibular molars were divided into three groups (n=20 each).
• Instrumentation was performed using PT files (continuous rotary), PT F2 file (reciprocating motion), and TF files (continuous rotary).
• Pre- and post-instrumentation micro-CT scans assessed canal volume and shaping changes; data were statistically analyzed.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in canal volume increase were observed between the three techniques.
• Canal transportation occurred primarily towards the mesial aspect in apical and mid-thirds, and towards the furcation coronally.
• Centering ratio and instrumentation time showed no significant differences across the groups.

Conclusions:

• ProTaper and Twisted Files, whether used in continuous rotary or reciprocating motion, effectively create centered root canal preparations.
• All tested instrumentation techniques demonstrated minimal procedural errors, highlighting their clinical viability.