Abstract
BACKGROUND: An important aspect of the preparation of the access cavity and biomechanical preparation of the root canal is to safeguard as much of the tooth's framework as possible without affecting access and visibility. OBJECTIVES: To compare the impact of the conservative design of access preparation and traditional design of access preparation in association with TruNatomy endodontic instrumentation and WaveOne Gold endodontic instrumentation on resistance to fracture by the design of a cavity for endodontic access using finite element analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Micro-CT radiographic images of 16 human first permanent molars of the mandible were included in the study to create representative finite element analysis computational models. RESULTS: A significant reduction in load for failure after endodontic preparation was observed in TDAP subcategories as compared to specimens with CDAP. However, the reduction in load for failure was comparable in both endodontic instrument systems within the CDAP and TDAP. CONCLUSION: A significant reduction in load for failure after endodontic preparation was observed in the traditional design of access preparation subcategories as compared to specimens with the conventional design of access preparation.