Cutting pattern of Flexogate instruments in plastic blocks

Design modifications of endodontic instruments have been made to improve instrumentation in curved root canals. A new instrument, the Flexogate (Maillefer), has been introduced to overcome some of the problems associated with preparation of the apical part of the root canal. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cutting pattern of Flexogates in curved canals (45 degrees) in clear plastic blocks, prepared by four different operators. Image analysis was used to take accurate measurements of canal shape before and after instrumentation to calculate cutting patterns. The results showed that Flexogates did not remain centred in the canal of a plastic block during cutting; maximum transportation occurred in the apical third of the outer curve, with little or none in the middle and coronal thirds. The clinical implications of this study require further investigation of the effect of coronal preflaring, and experimentation in teeth.