Evaluation and comparison of amount of preparation done at inner and outer sides of curve by using three Ni-Ti systems in simulated canals

This study was aimed to evaluate the amount of preparation done at inner and outer sides of curve by using three Ni-Ti systems -ProTaper, K3 and Liberator in simulated canals and the effect on entire degree of curvature of the canal after chemo-mechanical preparation.

Sixty simulated curved canal were used in this study and instrumented using the crown-down technique and divided into 3 groups of ProTaper and K3 and Liberator respectively. The amount of preparation after instrumentation of all three groups and the changes occurring in the original shape of the root canal were assessed using the AutoCad 2010 software.

Results were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The mean change in curvature occurred by ProTaper, K3 and Liberator was 68°,64.5°,63.95°, respectively. The differences were significant (p < 0.05) between the groups but not within the group. The mean distances prepared in apical middle and coronal thirds of canal in the outer and inner aspects of curvature were also significant. The K3 rotary instruments were best in term of canal prepared in apical, middle &coronal thirds in both inner & outer aspects of curvature.