Dentinal crazing and interpin distance

All three types of self-threading plus cause dentinal crazing. The frequency and degree of damage done to the dentin varies significantly between the three types of pins and depends upon the differences in the diameters of the drill and the pin. When two or more pins are placed in dentin, the potential for dentinal damage increases. Minikin pins (0.019-inch diameter) caused the least damage, in terms of both degree and frequency. The optimum and safe interpin distance using Minikin pins suggested by this study is 3 mm. Minim and Regular pins (0.023- and 0.031-inch diameters, respectively) caused more injury than Minikin pins. The Regular pins showed more damaging effects on dentin than Minim pins, both in terms of degree and frequency. On the basis of this study, the minimum interpin distance using Minim or Regular pins should be 5 mm. These minimum interpin distances are applicable only in situations where the dentin is not dehydrated or embrittled due to endodontic treatment. In teeth that have been endodontically treated, it would be advisable to use only the smallest self-threading pins and possibly increase the interpin distance if two or more pins are to be used.