Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mechanical preparation is one of the critical stages of root canal treatment in primary teeth. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of root canal shaping in primary molar teeth using EndoArt Pedo Blue, OneShape, Hyflex EDM rotary files and stainless-steel K-files by assessing changes in canal volume, uninstrumented area and apical transportation three-dimensionally with the use of micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scans. METHODS: A sample size of 60 primary maxillary first and second molars were randomly assigned into four subgroups (n = 15/group). A single-trained operator instrumented the root canals using OneShape, Hyflex EDM and Endo-Art Pedo Blue rotary files and stainless-steel K-files. The change in volume, uninstrumented area and apical transportation were then evaluated by comparing the pre-instrumentation and post-instrumentation micro-CT scans of the teeth. The data were analysed using Kruskal Wallis tests for comparisons between groups, followed by post-hoc The Bonferroni test (p < 0.012). RESULTS: Both EndoArt Pedo Blue and OneShape rotary files lead to more apical transportation than the K-files (p < 0.012). Although EndoArt rotary file caused the largest change in canal volume and Hyflex EDM file resulted in the most uninstrumented areas in the canals, there were no statistically significant differences in change in canal volume and uninstrumented areas among the four experiment groups (p > 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: All instruments tested in this study could safely shape curved and narrow root canals of primary molars, however K-files lead to less apical transportation than OneShape and paediatric rotary EndoArt Pedo Blue files. It may be concluded that it is safe to use rotary instrumentation in root canal shaping of primary teeth that are designed for primary and permanent teeth. However, K-files may provide more tactile sensation than the tested Endo-Art pediatric and OneShape rotary files, which is important in primary root canal shaping to avoid extrusion of material to the permanent teeth germs.