• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.530-541
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• 2007

Currently, various Nickel-Titanium rotary files are used in endodontic treatment, but there is no one perfect system that can be applied to any clinical situation. Therefore, the combined uses of various file systems which can emphasize the advantages of each system are introduced as hybrid instrumentation. The ProTaper system is efficient in body shaping and apical pre-enlargement but is reported to have more possibility of transportation and produce more aberrations and deformation in more or less severe curved canals. Recently, new ProTaper system(ProTaper Universal) with different configuration and cross-sectional design to overcome the week points of ProTaper have been marketed. The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping abilities of ProTaper, ProTaper Universal system, and two hybrid methods using S-series of ProTaper Universal and Hero Shaper or ProFile. The time lapses for instrumentation were measured and the used files were inspected for distortion. The pre- and post-instrumented root canals were scanned and superimposed to evaluate the aberrations and reduction of root canal curvature and change of radius of canal curvature. The increased canal width and apical centering ratio were calculated at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 mm levels from apical foramen. Under the conditions of this study, the ProTaper Universal seems to have better shaping ability than ProTaper in terms of instrumented width and instrumentation time. It may be suggested that the ProTaper Universal system is efficient as much as hybrid instrumentation using ProTaper and other constant-tapered NiTi file systems in highly experienced operators.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2006

To evaluate the change of working length with various instrumentation techniques in curved canals, working length and canal curvature were determined before and after canal instrumentation in buccal or mesial canals of extracted human molars. Stainless steel K-files ($MANI^{(R)}$, Matsutani Seisakusho Co. Takanezawa, Japan), nickel-titanium K-files (Naviflex $NT^{TM}$, Brassier, Savannah, USA) , $ProFile^{(R)}$, and ProTaper (Dentsply-Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) were used to prepare the canals with crown-down technique. In two hand instrumentation groups coronal flaring was made with Gates Glidden burs. Apical canals were instrumented until apical diameter had attained a size of 30. Positional relation between the tooth apex and the $\#10$ K-file tip was examined by using AutoCAD 2000 (Autodesk Corp., San Rafael. CA, USA) under a stereomicroscope before and after coronal flaring, and after apical instrumentation. Degree of canal curvature was also measured with Schneider's method in radiographs. Data of working length and canal curvature changes were statistically analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey's studentized range test. Working length and canal curvature were decreased significantly in each step in all instrumentation groups. Coronal flaring using Cates Glidden burs in hand instrument groups and whole canal instrumentation using stainless steel hand K-files caused significantly more working length change than in ProFile instrumentation group (p<0.05). The result of this study demonstrates that all of the above kinds of instrumentation in curved canals cause reduction of working length and canal curvature at each instrumentation steps, and hand instrumentation causes more working length change than ProFile.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.267-272
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• 2004

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of surface defects and cross-sectional configuration of NiTi rotary files on the fatigue life under cyclic loading. Three NiTi rotary files ($K3^{TM},{\;}ProFile^{\circledR},{\;}and{\;}HERO{\;}642^{\circledR}$) with ＃30/.04 taper were evaluated. Each rotary file was divided into 2 subgroups : control (no surface defects) and experimental group (artificial surface defects), A total of six groups of each 10 were tested. The NiTi rotary files were rotated at 300rpm using the apparatus which simulated curved canal (40 degree of curvature) until they fracture. The number of cycles to fracture was calculated and the fractured surfaces were observed with a scanning electron microscope. The data were analyzed statistically. The results showed that experimental groups with surface defects had lower number of cycles to fracture than control group but there was only a statistical significance between control and experimental group in the $K3^{TM}$ (p<0.05), There was no strong correlation between the cross-sectional configuration area and fracture resistance under experimental conditions. Several of fractured files demonstrated characteristic patterns of brittle fracture consistent with the propagation of pre-existing cracks. This data indicate that surface defects of NiTi rotary files may significantly decrease fatigue life and it may be one possible factor for early fracture of NiTi rotary files in clinical practice.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.113-118
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• 2006

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of newly marketed NRT instruments to maintain the original root canal configuration and curvature during preparation in comparison with the three existing instruments in simulated root canals. Simulated canals in resin blocks were prepared with ProFile. K3, ProTaper and NRT instrument (n = 10 canals in each case). Pre- and post-operative images were recorded, and assessment of canal shape was completed with a computer image analysis program. The data were analyzed statistically using the One-way ANOVA followed by Duncan s test. The ability or instruments to remain centered in prepared canals at 1-, 2-mm levels was significantly better in ProFile groups than in other groups (p < 0.05). The change of centering ratio in NRT groups at 5-mm level was significantly greater than ProFile group and at 6- and 7-mm level than all other groups (p < 0.05). Although the NRT system was comparable to other systems in regards to its ability to maintain the canal configuration of apical portion, this system was more influenced by the mid-root curvature due to its stainless-steel files for coronal preflaring.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.491-497
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare apical sealing ability of continuous wave canal filling technique according to various heat source plugging depths. Eighty one extracted human premolars with straight root were cleaned and shaped to size 35 using .06 taper rotary NiTi file. After cleansing and shaping, the teeth were divided into 5 groups following the heat source probing depths from the apex; 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 mm. All specimens were filled using E&Q plus with #35/.06 tapered gutta-percha cone. The positive control teeth were not filled. All teeth were coated with nail varnish except the apical 1 mm around the apical foramen. Negative control teeth were completely sealed include the apical foramen. All specimens were immersed in 1% methylene blue solution for 72 hours. Then the specimens were sectioned horizontally at 1, 2 and 3 mm from the root apex. Each sectioned surface was photographed using a digital camera attached to the stereomicroscope at $12.5{\times}2.5$ fold magnification. All points at 1, 2 and 3 mm were summed as final score of one specimen. Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed. Under the condition of this study. there was no significant difference between the heat source plugging depths of 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 mm in apical sealing ability. All of apical heat source plugging depth from 3 to 7 mm including Buchanan's protocol -from 5 to 7 mm- seems to be acceptable in clinical application.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.446-453
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to evaluate the shaping abilities of four different rotary nickel-titanium instruments with anticurvature motion to prepare root canal at danger zone by measuring the change of dentin thickness in order to have techniques of safe preparation of canals with nickel-titanium files. Mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals of forty mesial roots of extracted human lower molars were instrumented using the crown-down technique with ProFile, $GT^{TM}$ Rotary file, Quantec file and $ProTaper^{TM}$. In each root, one canal was prepared with a straight up-and-down motion and the other canal was with an anticurvature motion. Canals were instrumented until apical foramens were up to size of 30 by one operator. The muffle system was used to evaluate the root canal preparation. After superimposing the pre- and post-instrumentation canal. change in root dentin thickness was measured at the inner and outer sides of the canal at 1. 3, and 5 mm levels from the furcation. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA. Root dentin thickness at danger zone was significantly thinner than that at safe zone at all levels (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the change of root dentin thickness between the straight up-and-down and the anticurvature motions at both danger and safe zones in all groups (p > 0.05). ProTaper removed significantly more dentin than other files especially at furcal 3 mm level of danger and safe zones (p < 0.05) Therefore, it was concluded that anticurvature motion with nickel-titanium rotary instruments does not seem to be effective in danger zone of lower molars.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.121-130
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• 2014

Purpose: To assess the surface profile of dentinal wall, dentin chips and smear layer during the canal shaping with rotary (ProTaper) and ProFile and reciprocating (WaveOne) nickel-titanium file. Materials and Methods: Sixty human extracted mandibular premolars and incisors with single canals were randomly selected. Three experimental groups (n = 20) were instrumented with ProTaper (F2), ProFile (25/.06), WaveOne (25/.08) with irrigation of 2.5% NaOCl. The dentin chips were collected from flute of file during each canal preparation. After canal preparation, roots were grinded and each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 10) for surface profile and smear layer of dentinal wall of shaped root canal. Each specimen was observed under scanning electron microscope for evaluating size of dentin chips, root canal surface recessions and smear layer. Scores of Smear layer were statistically analyzed using Kruskal Wallis test and Mann Whitney test at P = 0.05 level. Results: The size of dentin chips from ProFile, ProTaper and WaveOne was up to $7{\mu}m$, $6.5{\mu}m$, and$4{\mu}m$, respectively. In the surface profile, the width of surface irregularity was measured and Profile, ProTaper and WaveOne was up to $150{\mu}m$, $70{\mu}m$, and $80{\mu}m$, respectively. Completely cleaned root canals were not found. In the middle and apical third of the canals, WaveOne group showed higher smear layer score than ProFile and ProTaper groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Within limits of this study, reciprocating motion WaveOne group was not significant difference of shaping ability with the full-sequence ProFile and ProTaper systems except canal clearness of middle and apical third of root canal. When using WaveOne to shaping root canal, thorough root canal irrigation is recommended.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.477-484
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• 2006

The purposes of this study were to compare the apical terminus width of simulated curved root canal prepared with three NiTi file systems used by undergraduates for evaluation the effects of flute angle and pitch or radial land on reducing screw-in effect and to determine more safe NiTi file system for inexperienced operators. Fifty inexperienced undergraduate students prepared 150 simulated curved root canals in resin blocks with three NiTi file systems ; ProFile$^{(R)}$, Hero Shaper$^{(R)}$, K3$^{TM}$. The electric motor set at a speed of 300 rpm and torque of 30 in a 16 : 1 reduction handpiece was used. The simulated root canal was prepared to ISO #25 sizes with each file system. The scanned images of pre- and post-instrumented canal of resin block were superimposed. To evaluate the screw-in effect of three NiTi file systems, apical terminus width of root canal was measured from superimposed images and statistical analysis was performed. There were significant differences in three NiTi flle systems. ProFile$^{(R)}$ had significantly smaller width than Hero Shaper$^{(R)}$ and K3$^{TM}$"" (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed between K3$^{TM}$ and Hero Shaper$^{(R)}$. Under the condition of this study, active file system (Hero SHaper$^{(R)}$, K3$^{TM}$) with variable pitch and helical angle had more screw-in effect than passive file system (ProFile$^{(R)}$) with constant pitch and helical angle. It seems that the radial lands play more important role in reducing screw-in effect.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.399-407
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• 1999

Apical extrusion of canal debris is occurred inadvertently during root canal preparation and this could produce interappointment discomfort or postinstrumentation pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of canal preparation methods on the apical extrusion of canal debris by means of comparing the amounts of apically extruded debris with several kinds of instrumentation methods. In the first experiment, 40 incisors were divided into four groups of 10 each. They were instrumented using one of the four techniques: Step-back, crown-down pressureless technique with stainless steel K-files, engine-driven instrumentation with Quantec series 2000, and Profile .04 taper series 29. Root canal irrigation was done with 2.52% sodium hypochlorite solution. In the second experiment, 80 incisors were divided into five groups of 16 each and instrumented using step-back, crown-down pressureless technique with stainless steel K-files, engine-driven instrumentation such as Quantec SC, Quantec LX, and Profile .04 taper series 29 No irrigation procedure was performed in this second experiment. Extruded debris from each tooth was collected in a container and weighed by the use of an electronic balance after desiccation. With or without canal irrigation, step-back technique produced significantly more amount of apical debris than the other groups (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference among crown-down pressureless technique, engine-driven instrumentation with Quantec LX, Quantec SC, or Profile. Therefore, either by hand or engine-driven instrumentation, it is concluded that to minimize apical debris, techniques using reaming motion of files should be applied rather than filing motion.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping ability of the three different Ni-Ti file systems used by undergraduate students. Fifty undergraduate students prepared 150 simulated curved root canals in resin blocks with three Ni-Ti file systems - $ProFile^{(R)}$ (PF), Manual $ProTaper^{(R)}$ (MPT), Rotary $ProTaper^{(R)}$ (RPT). Every student prepared 3 simulated root canals with each system respectively. After root canal preparation, the Ni-Ti files were evaluated for distortion or breakage Assessments were made according to the presence of various types of canal aberrations. The pre- and post-instrumented canal images were attained and superimposed. The instrumented root canal width were measured and calculated for the net transportation (deviation) and the centering ratio. Under the condition of this study, both $ProTaper^{(R)}$ systems allowed significantly more removal of root canal wall than the $ProFile^{(R)}$ system. In the important other aspects such as the centering ratio, there was no significant differences between the systems. Novice dental students were able to prepare curved root canals with any kinds of Ni-Ti file systems with little aberration and great conservation of tooth structure. Students want to learn effective methods and at the same time simple rotary procedures. The rotary $ProTaper^{(R)}$ systems were one of the most compatible to these students from the point of view of cutting ability The $ProFile^{(R)}$ system was also compatible in safe and gentle shaping.