Scouting Ability of 4 Pathfinding Instruments in Moderately Curved Molar Canals

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science

Background:

• Glide path preparation is crucial for safe nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instrument use.
• This study evaluates four NiTi pathfinding instruments for negotiating curved molar root canals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effectiveness and fracture rates of four NiTi pathfinding instruments.
• To assess instrument performance in preparing glide paths in curved molar canals.

Main Methods:

• Four NiTi pathfinding instruments (ScoutRace, ProDesign, Mtwo, ProGlider) were tested on 240 curved molar canals.
• Effectiveness was measured by the frequency of reaching full working length; fracture rate was recorded.
• Statistical analysis used the Pearson's chi-square test.

Main Results:

• ScoutRace achieved the highest rate of reaching full working length (68.3%), while ProDesign had the lowest (38.3%).
• ProGlider showed the highest instrument separation rate (11.6%), followed by Mtwo (8.3%).
• ScoutRace and ProDesign exhibited the lowest fracture rates (3.3% each).

Conclusions:

• ScoutRace is an effective pathfinding instrument with a low fracture risk in curved molar canals.
• ProDesign demonstrated the lowest efficiency, and ProGlider presented the highest risk of instrument separation.