[Comparative SEM study of root canals prepared with Intraendokopf 3-LDSY and 3-LD]

A total of 211 root canals were prepared in extracted teeth using either hand instruments or two engine-driven instruments (KaVo Intraendokopf 3-LDSY and 3-LD). The teeth were investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The best results in terms of smoothing the canal wall were observed in the teeth prepared with hand instruments. The Intraendokopf 3-LD was found to be useful in supporting manual methods in certain limited cases, such as curved narrow canals which are hard to access. 3-LDSY, however, proved to be less efficient because it tended to bind in the canal so that the full working length could not be reached.