Root canal length changes during mechanical preparation due to different cervical enlargement patterns.

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science

Background:

• Root canal instrumentation aims to clean and shape the canal system.
• Variations in root canal length (RL) during instrumentation can impact treatment outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate changes in root canal real length (RL) after mechanical instrumentation with different flaring magnitudes.
• To compare the effect of Hyflex EDM, Reciproc Blue, and MTwo systems on RL.

Main Methods:

• Sixty mesial root canals of mandibular molars were divided into three groups: Hyflex EDM, Reciproc Blue, and MTwo.
• Root canal length was measured after access cavity preparation, cervical flaring, and complete chemomechanical preparation.
• Measurements were performed by a blind examiner using a microscope, with endodontic file stops placed at the coronary reference.

Main Results:

• All tested mechanical instrumentation systems resulted in a reduction of root canal real length.
• Observed RL reductions were 0.65 mm for Hyflex EDM, 0.61 mm for Reciproc Blue, and 0.48 mm for MTwo.
• No statistically significant differences in RL changes were found among the three groups.

Conclusions:

• Mechanical instrumentation with Hyflex EDM, Reciproc Blue, and MTwo systems causes variations in root canal real length.
• Constant verification of odontometry is crucial, particularly before root canal obturation, to account for these RL changes.