Analysis of Apical Transportation and Canal Centering Ability During Root Canal Preparation by Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography (in Vitro Study)

Abstract

Objective: One of the goals of root canal preparation is to clean and shape the root canal system while maintaining the original configuration. So, it is essential to keep the instruments centered on providing a correct enlargement, Canal transportation is a common sequel caused by instrumentation, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the canal shaping efficacy of WaveOne® Gold, NiTiflex, and a stainless-steel K-files by CBCT.
 Methods: Sixty extracted curved single root premolars were selected, from Shorsh dental center and private clinic and divided into three equal groups. Before preparation, all samples numbered and scanned by CBCT. Then, the first group (n=20) were prepared with WaveOne Gold rotary file, the second group (n=20) were prepared by NiTiFlex hand file, and the third group (n= 20) were prepared by stainless steel files. Canal transportation and centering ability before and after root canal shaping assessed using CBCT and Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended. The amount and direction of canal transportation in the apical third of each instrument determined in three axial sections of 2mm, 3mm, and 4mm from the apex, while the centering ability of each instrument determined in 5 axial sections of 2mm, 4mm, 6mm, 8mm, and 10mm from the apex. The three groups were statistically compared using one way ANOVA test.
 Results: It was reviled that there were no statistically significant differences in the magnitude of canal transportation between three groups (p > 0.05) at 2 mm, 3 mm as well as 4 mm from the apex, while in group one (WaveOne Gold) showed significantly lower mean canal transportation as compared to other two groups. The centering ability was statistically significant in 2 mm axial section, WaveOne Gold had better-centering ability than NiTiFlex and Stainless steel hand file. While in other sections the difference was nonsignificant. 
 Conclusions: The difference between the three groups was non-significant regarding transportation, while in apical part WaveOne Gold has better-centering ability than the other two groups.