Comparative evaluation of the efficacy of the Pro AF Baby Gold and Kedo-S pediatric endodontic files for canal instrumentation, transportation, and centering ratio - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Traditionally, pediatric endodontics lacked access to the full potential of rotary instruments. These instruments, designed for the permanent root canal system, often presented limitations when used in primary teeth. To address this, exclusive pediatric rotary files with regular improvements have been introduced, featuring superior cutting efficiency with a focus on precise alignment. This design offers the advantage of reduced risk of ledges, perforations, instrument separation, and canal transportation. This study aimed to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of Pro AF Baby Gold and Kedo-S rotary files in preparing primary tooth root canals during pulpectomy procedures through a meta-analysis.

Methodology: The review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines. The review searched electronic databases from 2000 to February 2024 for studies evaluating the efficacy of Pro AF Baby Gold and Kedo-S files in terms of canal instrumentation, transportation, and centering ratio. The Cochrane risk of bias (ROB)-2 tool assessed quality, with analyses conducted using RevMan software version 5.3. The standardized mean difference (SMD) served as the summary with a random effects model (P < 0.05).

Results: Out of the five studies identified through the eligibility criteria, three were deemed suitable for a meta-analysis, while all five were included in a qualitative synthesis. The quality assessment revealed a presence of moderate-to-low ROB. The pooled analysis using SMD did not show any statistically significant differences between the files, except for the centering ratio in the mesiobuccal canal, where the Kedo-S file performed slightly better. In addition, the absence of any significant asymmetry in the funnel plot suggests that there is likely no publication bias present in the data.

Conclusion: Pro AF Baby Gold files can be used as an alternative adjunct in pediatric endodontics to Kedo-S files and manual files.Prospero Registration: CRD42023469406.