Reciprocating instrumentation in a maxillary primary central incisor: A protocol tested in a 3D printed prototype

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Dental Materials Science

Background:

• Efficient endodontic instrumentation of primary teeth presents a significant challenge for pediatric dentists.
• Developing effective instrumentation techniques is crucial for successful primary tooth endodontics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the biomechanical outcomes of endodontic instrumentation using a reciprocating system.
• The study specifically assessed instrumentation in a polymer-prototyped primary maxillary central incisor.

Main Methods:

• Systematic instrumentation of a prototyped primary maxillary central incisor using Reciproc® files.
• Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning was performed before and after each file usage.
• Analysis included debris amount, non-instrumented areas, removed dentin volume, and changes in dentin thickness.

Main Results:

• Reciproc® file R40 showed a 10% increase in removed dentin volume compared to R25.
• R50 resulted in substantial reduction in cervical third dentin thickness (48.8%) and significant apical third preparation (39.8%).
• No significant difference in non-instrumented areas was found among files; R40 and R50 accumulated similar debris amounts.

Conclusions:

• The Reciproc® system demonstrated effectiveness for endodontic instrumentation in a prototyped primary maxillary central incisor.
• File R40 was identified as the most suitable for apical preparation in this model.
• Findings suggest Reciproc® system's potential for primary tooth endodontics, with R40 offering a favorable balance.