The Effect of Using RC Prep during Root Canal Preparation on the Incidence of Dentinal Defects

Abstract

IntroductionThe purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of using RC Prep (Well-Prep, Vericom Co, Anyang, Korea) during root canal preparation on the incidence of defects in root canal walls. MethodsOne hundred extracted mandibular incisors with single canals were randomly divided into 1 control group and 4 experimental groups (n = 20). The teeth in group 1 (control) were coronally flared with Gates Glidden drills (Mani, Japan), but no further preparation was made. All teeth in the experimental groups were first coronally flared with Gates Glidden drills and then prepared similarly by means of ProTaper instruments (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). The difference between the experimental groups was the following: in group 2, saline was used as an irrigation solution without the application of RC Prep; in group 3, teeth were irrigated with saline, and RC Prep was also applied to canals before the insertion of each file; in group 4, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was used for irrigation without the application of RC Prep; and in group 5, both NaOCl and RC Prep were used. The apical root surface and horizontal sections 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex were observed under a microscope. The presence of cracks was noted. The chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used for statistical analysis of differences between and among the groups. ResultsA significant difference was found between and among the 5 groups (P < .05). Group 4 (NaOCl), which had the highest number of cracked teeth, was significantly different from group 1 (control) (P < .05). RC Prep, with both saline and NaOCl, had no significant effect on the incidence of microcrack formation (P > .05). When data were pooled, regardless of whether RC Prep was used, there was a significant difference between saline (groups 2 + 3) and NaOCl (groups 4 + 5) (P < .05). ConclusionsRC Prep was unable to reduce the risk of dentinal defects. NaOCl caused more defects compared with saline.