Comparative assessment of root canal preparation by undergraduate students using manual and automated devices

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the preparation of root canals performed by undergraduate students using manual and automated devices, based on the amount of dentin removed from the canal walls, the time required for preparation, and students' opinions.Methods: Mesial roots of 20 human mandibular molars extracted for clinical reasons were used in the experiment. Twenty undergraduate students prepared two canals each, one using the manual method and the other using an automated device; following root canal preparation, the students filled out a questionnaire. Time was recorded throughout the procedures. Teeth were scanned with computed tomography before and after preparation. Images were superimposed and measured for the amount and area of dentin removed.Results: There was no difference between the use of manual and automated devices with regard to the amount of material removed. Distal walls presented a greater amount of material removed from the cervical third when compared with middle third in both techniques. There were no statistically significant differences between both techniques with regard to preparation time.Conclusion: The automated system represents an adequate alternative option as an auxiliary resource for undergraduate teaching in the preparation of root canals.Key words: Endodontics; instrumentation; root canal therapy; X-ray computed tomography ResumoObjetivo: Avaliar o preparo do canal radicular realizado por alunos de graduação com os sistemas manual e oscilatório, considerando o desgaste produzido nas paredes do mesmo, o tempo de trabalho e a opinião dos estudantes.Metodologia: Foram utilizadas raízes mesiais de 20 molares inferiores humanos extraídos por indicação clínica. Vinte alunos de graduação realizaram o preparo de dois canais, um deles com o sistema manual e o outro com o sistema oscilatório, e posteriormente responderam a um questionário. O tempo foi registrado durante os preparos. Os dentes foram examinados por tomografia computadorizada antes e após o preparo. As imagens foram sobrepostas e as áreas de contorno demarcadas. Medidas lineares e da área de desgaste foram realizadas.Resultados: Não houve diferença entre as técnicas quanto à medida linear de desgaste. A parede distal apresentou maior desgaste no terço cervical do que no médio em ambas as técnicas. A área total de desgaste foi maior no terço cervical do que no médio. Com relação ao tempo de preparo, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre as duas técnicas.Conclusão: O sistema oscilatório constitui-se em um recurso auxiliar para o preparo do canal radicular no ensino de graduação.

Satisfaction of undergraduate students at University of Jordan after root canal treatment of posterior teeth using rotary or hand preparation

“…These devices are extremely beneficial and can be used successfully after adequate training as an adequate complementary tool and should therefore be included in the training of undergraduate students . Meanwhile, the shaping techniques with Ni–Ti rotary instruments should ideally be updated to ensure ongoing education for undergraduates in dental schools .…”

“…Although rotary instrument techniques have not been part of the basic procedures taught at all dental schools, newly graduated dentists, general practitioners and specialists endodontists were more likely to acquire and adopt the use of these new technologies .…”

“…Acquiring skill in the use of Ni–Ti rotary instrumentation in Endodontics curricular guidelines aims to stimulate the continued education, to obtain a minimum competence level of acceptance of the new technique , and to greatly improve the impact on the teaching of Endodontics and training of future professionals .…”

Análise do preparo de canais radiculares utilizando-se a diafanização

“…Tal fato se comprova também em outros estudos, nos quais são comparadas técnicas de preparo químico-mecânico. Nesses estudos, não é relatada supremacia nos resultados de sucesso do tratamento endodôntico de uma técnica em relação à outra, mas ressaltam-se as vantagens de cada técnica e enfatiza-se a importância da indicação correta das mesmas, de acordo com as características biológicas e endodônticas do dente a ser tratado, segundo afirmam Lopes, Siqueira Jr. 6 , Vanzin et al 14 e Zmener et al 15 .…”