The effect of using files with altered tips in a sonic handpiece: an in vitro study

The objective of this study was to establish the effect of altering the non-cutting tips on Shaper files during canal preparation with the MM1500 Sonic Air handpiece. A total of 90 simulated canals in clear resin blocks of various angles and positions of curvature were prepared using Shaper files activated by an MM1500 Sonic Air handpiece. Thirty canals were prepared with unmodified files having non-cutting tips, 30 canals were prepared with files which had their tips removed completely and a further 30 canals were prepared with files which had tips reduced by half. All canals were prepared using an identical preparation procedure which involved a linear filing motion and an anticurvature technique in curved canals. The parameters investigated included loss of canal length, weight loss from the blocks, smoothness of canal walls, transportation and overall shape of the prepared canals. The effect of altering the file tips was to increase significantly the loss of working distance and the prevalence of canal aberrations such as zips and danger zones. Altering the tips also had a detrimental effect on the pattern and extent of transportation as well as widening canals excessively in their apical third. Overall, under the conditions of this study, alterations to the non-cutting tips of Shaper files was counterproductive and resulted in canals displaying many adverse features. Conversely, retention of the non-cutting tips allowed canal preparation to proceed rapidly and effectively producing canal shapes which displayed many desirable features.