Comparative evaluation of the preparation efficacies of HERO Shaper and Nitiflex root canal instruments in curved root canals.

Objectives: To comparatively evaluate the shaping efficacies of HERO Shaper rotary instruments and Nitiflex hand files.

Study Design: The mesial roots of 40 mandibular molars were used. In 20 teeth, the mesiobuccal canals were instrumented with HERO Shaper and the mesiolingual canals with Nitiflex. In the remaining 20 teeth, the mesiobuccal canals were instrumented with Nitiflex and the mesiolingual canals with HERO Shaper. Pre- and postoperative sections were obtained from the coronal, middle, and apical portions and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student t test.

Results: More dentin was removed from the middle portion with HERO Shaper (P < .05). No statistically significant difference was observed in terms of transportation (P>.05). No instrument fracture or deformation was noted.

Conclusions: Both HERO Shaper and Nitiflex can be recommended for clinical practice. Further studies can focus on the comparison of HERO Shaper with other rotary instruments as there is an increasing trend for the utilization of these systems.