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Shaping efficiency versus dentin conservation: a micro-CT taper-based analysis
Emmanuel João Nogueira Leal da Silva1,2, Thiago Moreira Soares E Silva3, Ana Flávia Almeida Barbosa4
1Grande Rio University (UNIGRANRIO), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. nogueiraemmanuel@hotmail.com.
Clinical Oral Investigations
|March 31, 2026
Summary
Increasing instrument taper improves root canal shaping efficiency but also significantly increases dentin removal. Conservative taper selection is recommended for better structural preservation in mandibular molars.
Area of Science:
- Endodontics
- Dental Materials Science
- Biomaterials Engineering
Background:
- Root canal instrumentation aims to clean and shape root canal systems.
- Instrument taper influences shaping efficiency and dentin preservation.
- Understanding taper effects is crucial for optimizing root canal treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of increasing instrument taper on shaping efficiency.
- To assess dentin preservation during root canal preparation in mandibular molars.
- To quantify dentin removal and thickness changes using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).
Main Methods:
- Mandibular molars with specific canal morphologies were analyzed using micro-CT.
- Root canals were instrumented sequentially with varying taper instruments (e.g., 25/.08v).
- Canal volume, surface area, unprepared surface, dentin removal, and thickness were quantified.
Main Results:
- Larger tapers significantly improved shaping efficiency in mesial canals.
- Dentin removal increased substantially with larger tapers, especially in mesial canals.
- Threshold analysis revealed increased proportion of thinner dentin (0.5-1.0 mm) with larger tapers.
Conclusions:
- Increasing taper enhances shaping efficiency but compromises dentin preservation.
- Larger tapers can lead to vulnerable dentin thickness, particularly in specific root regions.
- Conservative taper selection may offer a better balance between shaping effectiveness and structural integrity.
