Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of K-type stainless steel hand instruments (Mani Inc. ), Fanta AF™ Ledge Correction (LC) (Fanta Dental), and Hyflex EDM (Coltene-Whaledent) for ledge correction, canal transport, centric ability, and shaping (preparation) time after an artificial ledge has been bypassed manually in highly curved canals using acrylic blocks. METHODS: Forty-two resin blocks, each with a radius of 5 mm (Endo Trainer Block, VDW) and an apical inclination of 55°, were used. Under stereomicroscope magnification, standard artificial ledges were created on acrylic blocks, and attempts were then made to eliminate them using hand instruments, FantaAF™ LC, and Hyflex EDM. Before and after images were obtained using a stereomicroscope and compared using Photoshop. RESULTS: Fanta AF™ LC and Hyflex EDM were found to be more effective for correcting ledges than hand instruments. The use of hand instruments resulted in the greatest transportation away from the canal curvature in the apical area. The canal shaping was completed in the shortest amount of time using Fanta AF™ LC, followed by HyFlex EDM and then the hand instruments. CONCLUSION: In terms of centric ability, the order from best to worst is as follows: Fanta AF™ LC, Hyflex EDM, and hand instruments. After the ledge was manually bypassed with hand instruments in the root canals, Hyflex EDM and Fanta AF™ LC were found to be more effective than hand instruments in reshaping the previously unreachable region between the ledge and the foramen apical.