Comparison of canal transportation and centering ability of twisted files, Pathfile-ProTaper system, and stainless steel hand K-files by using computed tomography

J Endod. 2010 May;36(5):904-7. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2009.12.038. Epub 2010 Mar 7.

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to compare canal transportation and centering ability of 2 rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) systems (Twisted Files [TF] and Pathfile-ProTaper [PP]) with conventional stainless steel K-files.

Methods: Ninety root canals with severe curvature and short radius were selected. Canals were divided randomly into 3 groups of 30 each. After preparation with TF, PP, and stainless steel files, the amount of transportation that occurred was assessed by using computed tomography. Three sections from apical, mid-root, and coronal levels of the canal were recorded. Amount of transportation and centering ability were assessed. The 3 groups were statistically compared with analysis of variance and Tukey honestly significant difference test.

Results: Less transportation and better centering ability occurred with TF rotary instruments (P < .0001). K-files showed the highest transportation followed by PP system. PP system showed significant transportation when compared with TF (P < .0001).

Conclusions: The TF system was found to be the best for all variables measured in this study.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Dental Alloys
  • Dental Instruments*
  • Dental Pulp Cavity / diagnostic imaging*
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Nickel
  • Root Canal Preparation / instrumentation*
  • Stainless Steel
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Titanium
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Dental Alloys
  • titanium nickelide
  • Stainless Steel
  • Nickel
  • Titanium