An Evaluation of Biomechanical Preparation of Root Canals Using Protaper Hand File, Mtwo Niti Rotary File and NeoNiti Single File Systems With Cone Beam Computed Tomography- An In Vitro Study

Background: Root canal therapy is the most widely accepted treatment modality for pulpally involved teeth. Rotary NiTi instruments improve the root canal preparation because of the unique properties of the alloy. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) permits non-destructive and metrically exact analyses of variables such as volume, surface area, cross-sectional shape, and taper. Thus the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of biomechanical preparation of root canals using different file systems on cervical dentinal thickness at the coronal level, canal transportation and surface area at coronal, middle and apical levels using CBCT.

Methodology: Forty-five single-rooted premolars were randomly divided into three groups (n=15) (Protaper hand file, MtwoNiTi rotary file and NeoNiTi single file). CBCT scans were taken before and after preparation. Dentinal thickness was measured in all four directions to assess cervical dentin thickness and canal transportation. The surface area was evaluated in Adobe Photoshop both before and after preparation.

Results: The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. The total mean change in cervical dentin thickness and total mean canal transportation at coronal and apical was found to be maximum in Group III. The maximum increase of surface area was observed in Group I at the coronal level, whereas in Group III at the middle and apical levels.

Conclusion: It was concluded that the change in cervical dentin thickness was maximum in Group III. The canal transportation at the coronal level and the apical level was found to be maximum in Group III; at the middle level, it was maximum in Group II. The maximum increase of surface area at the coronal level was observed in Group I, and at middle and apical levels, it was seen in Group III.