Effects of Reciproc, ProTaper Next and WaveOne Gold on Root Canal Walls: A Stereomicroscope Analysis.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to analyse the potential occurrence of dentinal defects after root canal preparation using three engine-driven instruments.

Methods And Materials: Eighty permanent mandibular incisors were selected. Twenty teeth did not undergo preparation, and the remaining teeth were divided into three groups (=20): Reciproc (REC) ProTaper Next (PTN) and WaveOne Gold (WOG). The samples were dyed with methylene blue, sectioned perpendicularly to the long axis in 3-, 6- and 9-mm slices and were finally observed under a stereomicroscope (under 25×). The absence/presence of dentinal defects was documented by two blind observers. The data were analysed using Pearson's -squared test with a confidence level of 95% (=0.05). The time to prepare the samples was recorded, and the groups were compared using -test (ANOVA).

Results: The control group did not present any defects, and the differences between the control and experimental groups were statistically significant (<0.05). WOG, PTN and REC caused microcracks on 60%, 33.33% and 18.33% of the samples, respectively. No significant differences between the groups in the 3-mm sections (=0.126) were observed. There were significant differences in the 6-mm (=0.042) and 9-mm sections (<0.001). When WOG and PTN were used to perform root canal preparation, a significant difference was found in the average time (=0.047).

Conclusion: All the used instruments caused dentinal defects in the root dentin. All the instruments were used to perform the preparation with a similar average time.