Assessment of canal walls after biomechanical preparation of root canals instrumented with Protaper Universal rotary system.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to examine the instrumented walls of root canals prepared with the ProTaper Universal rotary system.


METHODS
Twenty mesiobuccal canals of human first mandibular molars were divided into 2 groups of 10 specimens each and embedded in a muffle system. The root canals were transversely sectioned 3 mm short of the apex before preparation and remounted in their molds. All root canals were prepared with ProTaper Universal rotary system or with Nitiflex files. The pre and postoperative images of the apical thirds viewed with a stereoscopic magnifier (X45) were captured digitally for further analysis. Data were analyzed statistically by Fisher's exact test and Chi-square test at 5% significance level.


RESULTS
The differences observed between the instrumented and the noninstrumented walls were not statistically significant (p<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The Nitiflex files and the ProTaper Universal rotary system failed to instrument all the root canal walls.
Aguiar
Carlos Menezes
CM
Department of Prosthodontics and Oral and Facial Surgery, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil. cmaguiar.ufpe@yahoo.com.br
Mendes
Daniela de Andrade
Dde A
Câmara
Andréa Cruz
AC
Figueiredo
Antonio Poli de
AP
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003722:Dental Alloys / Q000737:chemistry; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008422:Materials Testing; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D009532:Nickel / Q000737:chemistry; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012399:Rotation; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium / Q000737:chemistry; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000473:pathology
D003722:Dental Alloys; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D004492:Edetic Acid; D014025:Titanium; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite