Purpose: The purpose of the present study is to assess the rate of newly formed microcracks comparatively during root canal instrumentation by using ProTaper Next, Reciproc, and Self-Adjusting File systems using micro-computed tomography.
Subjects and methods: Thirty mesial roots of mandibular molars were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups (n = 10) as follows, ProTaper Next, Reciproc and Self-Adjusting File system. Preoperative and postoperative scans were obtained at the isotropic resolution of 13.68 µm. Cross-section images were examined to identify the presence of newly formed dentinal microcracks.
Results: The Self-Adjusting File and Reciproc systems caused a higher rate of new microcrack formation than the ProTaper Next group (p<0.001). There were also significant differences in the new microcrack formation between Reciproc and Self-Adjusting File groups (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Reciproc and Self-Adjusting File systems caused a higher rate of newly formed microcraks compared to ProTaper Next system.
Keywords: Protaper Next; Reciproc; dentinal microcracks; micro–computed tomography; self-Adjusting File.