A comparative study of protaper and twisted file nickel titanium instruments in curved canals preparation

Abstract

Introduction. Root canal instrumentation is performed to achieve cleaning and shaping with maximum preservation of its original anatomy. However, in curved canals this approach may cause excessive damage or canal transportation. The present study aimed to evaluate changes in dentin wall caused by instrumentation of curved canals using two nickel titanium rotary systems, ProTaper and Twisted File. Material and Methods. Twenty five extracted human mandibular first molars with two separated mesial root canals were selected. Distal roots were amputated and 50 canals (25 mesiobuccal and 25 mesiolingual) were randomly assigned into two groups: group 1 - ProTaper, and group 2 - Twisted File. All files were used with torque control engine, following the manufacturer instructions. The final instruments were F3 (group 1) and #30/.06 (group 2). Pre and postoperative cross sections were obtained from coronal, middle, and apical portions. Changes in dentin wall were measured and evaluated using Bramante method and digital image software. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann Whitney U test (p<0.05). Results. The ammount of dentin removed by ProTaper in cervical and middle canal thirds was significantly greater than with Twisted File (p=0.040 and p=0.043). ProTaper eliminated significantly greater ammount of dentin than Twisted File from mesial wall in coronal sections (p=0.039). Mean differences in distance from the center to other walls were not statistically significant in the middle and apical thirds of both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion. ProTaper system produced greater changes in cross sectional area of the root canal compared to Twisted File system.