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Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Three-Dimensional Shape Modeling and Analysis of Brain Structures
Published on: November 14, 2019
Shaping ability of protaper next compared with waveone in late-model three-dimensional printed teeth
Zhi Cui1, Zhao Wei2, Minquan Du3
1The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Luoyu Road, Wuhan City, 237, China.
3D-printed teeth accurately model root canals for comparing nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) instruments. The ProTaper Next (PN) system demonstrated less apical transportation than WaveOne (WO) in complex S-shaped canals.
Area of Science:
- Endodontics
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) instruments are crucial in endodontics.
- Current models for studying canal preparation lack uniformity and real-world complexity.
- 3D-printed teeth offer a potential solution for standardized and complex canal models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the shaping abilities of ProTaper Next (PN) and WaveOne (WO) Ni-Ti instruments.
- To evaluate the efficacy of 3D-printed teeth as models for endodontic instrument testing.
- To assess canal transportation and unprepared surface area in S-shaped canals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized 3D-printed teeth with S-shaped canals for instrument preparation.
- Prepared canals using PN and WO Ni-Ti instruments (n=10 per group).
- Measured canal volume, surface area, transportation, and untouched areas using Micro-CT and VGstudio2.2 software.
Main Results:
- No significant difference was found between real and 3D-printed teeth post-preparation.
- The WaveOne (WO) group showed higher mean volume and surface area compared to the ProTaper Next (PN) group (P < .05).
- ProTaper Next (PN) resulted in less apical transportation than WaveOne (WO) (P < .05).
Conclusions:
- 3D-printed teeth are suitable and reliable models for evaluating Ni-Ti rotary instruments.
- The PN system is superior to the WO system in minimizing apical transportation in complex root canal preparations.
- This study validates the use of 3D-printed models for advanced endodontic research.
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