Effect of Different Preparation Techniques on Root Canal Geometry: An In Vitro Study

To compare and evaluate canal preparation using hand stainless steel files, hand ProTaper files, and rotary ProTaper files for change in root canal geometry in terms of surface area and volume changes assessed by computed tomography.

The present study was conducted in Nair Hospital and Dental College, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry in collaboration with insight CBCT, imaging technologies. A total of 36 extracted human primary mandibular second molars were collected from the Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry. All the teeth were scanned using cone-beam CT (i-CAT CT Scanner Next Generation, Imaging Sciences International) preoperatively and postoperatively to assess the mean absolute change in surface area and mean change in the volume of all the canals at different levels with the use of hand stainless steel files, hand ProTaper and rotary ProTaper files.

ProTaper instruments, both hand ProTaper and rotary ProTaper caused significant changes in the surface area in the coronal thirds and middle thirds of the canal when compared to hand stainless steel files. No difference was found in surface area and volume changes between hand ProTaper and rotary ProTaper instrumentation.

Use of ProTaper instruments for preparation of deciduous teeth can render benefit of an improved canal preparation to facilitate better obturation and successful root canal therapy.

Bheda P, Kakade A, Takate V, et al. Effect of Different Preparation Techniques on Root Canal Geometry: An In Vitro Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2022;15(S-1):S71-S79.