title: Histologic evaluation of three endodontic instrument/preparation techniques.
abstract: 33 curved canals were prepared to quantify both the increase in canal area and predentin removal in the apical region. Compared were three different file designs/instrumentation techniques, that is "stepback" with K-flex file, "balanced force" with Flex-R file, and the Canal Master system. Following canal preparation and histological processing, cross-sections at 1 and 3 mm levels were examined using the Bioquant image analysis system. Results showed that, at the 3 mm leve, the mean increase in canal area and predentin removal showed no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) between the techniques. At 1 mm, the step-back technique (with K-flex files) resulted in a significant increase in canal area and greater predentin removal than did the "balanced forces" (with Flex-R files) or the Canal Master system. However, although there were statistical differences, the actual differences were small; these may not translate to clinically significant differences in the 3 techniques.
authors.affiliation: Post-Graduate Endodontics, Camilo Castelo Branco Faculty, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Zuolo
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Imura
mesh_terms: D003737:Dental Cavity Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D012390:Root Canal Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods