Root canal preparation: A literature review and clinical case reports of available materials and techniques

Abstract

Mechanical enlargement and shaping of complex endodontic root canal systems to facilitate disinfection remain the main foci of endodontic treatment. A large variety of root canal shaping and preparation systems with different design features and advantages are available to the clinician. Although there are many studies in the literature comparing these different systems, the aim of this paper is to provide the clinician with an overview of some of the available systems as well as their clinical applications. Shaping and enlargement of root canal systems to facilitate irrigation, disinfection and proper obturation are the most important aspects in endodontic treatment. 1 Maintaining the original canal anatomy and preservation of dentine thickness of a root canal system is critical to the successful shaping of a root canal. Procedural errors like instrument fractures, ledge formation, canal zipping, strip perforations, apical perforations, elbow formations and apical blockage can possibly lead to endodontic failure as a result of incomplete debridement. 2 Most of these errors can be contributed to the stiffness of stainless steel instruments. 3

Comparative Analysis of Three Nickel–Titanium Rotary Files in Severely Curved L-Shaped Root Canals: Preparation Time, Aberrations, and Fracture Rates

“…The system is constructed of M-Wire and is made up of three files. 22 This laboratory study compared the preparation time and canal aberration of the ProTaper, WO, and PTN Ni–Ti systems in simulated curved (L-shaped) root canals. Resin blocks are commonly used to determine the shaping ability of endodontic instruments under the most accurate and precise laboratory rules and conditions.…”

Debridement Ability of TruNatomy, S-One Plus, and Other Single File Systems

“…This feature generates a mechanical wave of motion that travels along the active length of the file and provides a better reduction of the engagement between the file and dentin [31]. These files' lower cutting capacity and higher smear layer and debris accumulation are thought to be due to their offcentered rectangular cross-section, which causes the file to "swagger" as it goes through the root canal [32].…”