Comparison of the amount of transportation when using a precurved instrument in a sonic handpiece vs. nickel-titanium rotary files.
Three-dimensional cleaning of the root canal system along its basic shape is one of the main goals in endodontics. A sonic handpiece is a helpful adjunct that can aid in accomplishing this goal; however, its use has been limited due to the risk of transporting the apices' original position. Precurving sonic files may reduce transportation. For this study, 35 plastic blocks were randomly assigned to two groups, one of which (n = 16) was instrumented by nickel-titanium rotary files (to a size 40), while the second group (n = 18) was instrumented by a sonic handpiece with precurved files. Similar blocks were instrumented with noncurved sonic files and used as controls. Radiographs taken before and after instrumentation were compared. Of the 18 apices instrumented by the sonic handpiece with precurved files, seven were not transported. By comparison, 8 of the 16 apices instrumented by nickel-titanium files did not transport. When transportation did occur, it was less than 0.5 mm for either technique. The control blocks instrumented by the sonic handpiece with straight files were transported significantly. An ANOVA with a post hoc Tukey's test showed no statistically significant difference between the file systems. Based on the results, precurving sonic files to match the canal contour may allow for efficient cleaning without undue transportation.
Department of Endodontics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
James W
JW
Spradley
Paul D
PD
Eleazer
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D009532:Nickel; D011859:Radiography; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014025:Titanium; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014465:Ultrasonics
D003722:Dental Alloys; C040654:titanium nickelide; D009532:Nickel; D014025:Titanium