Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of three different rotary systems for cervical flaring on establishment of the real working length. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty mandibular first molars were submitted to conventional endodontic access and initial working length measurement, followed by irrigation/suction of the pulp chamber with 5% sodium hypochlorite. Teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10) and cervical flaring of the mesiobuccal canals were performed using one of the following instrument systems: Group 1 - Gates-Glidden burs; Group 2 - Orifice Openers; Group 3 - La Axxess system. Two subsequent numbers of instruments of each rotary system were used and the final working length was recorded. A digital calyper was used to record the working length, in millimeters, to investigate a possible discrepancy between initial and final measurements. RESULTS: Analysis of variance (Anova) na Tukey test revealed statistical difference between Group 1 and Groups 2 and 3 (p pound 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: All groups presented shorter working length after cervical flaring; groups prepared with instruments La Axxes and Orifice Opener presented the best results among the systems studied.