Comparative Evaluation of Canal Transport and Centralization Between ProTaper Next and XP-endo Shaper Systems Using CBCT Analysis: An In Vitro Study

Abstract

Aim: This study compared the apical transportation and centering ratio of ProTaper Next (PTN) and XP-endo Shaper (XPS) nickel titanium (NiTi) rotary files in curved root canals using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methodology: The current in vitro study involved the mesiobuccal canals of mesial roots in 44 extracted mandibular first molars that exhibited apical curvature ranging from 10° to 30°. Two experimental groups were randomly formed from the teeth (n = 22) and subjected to instrumentation with PTN and XPS. CBCT scans were performed before and after instrumentation on the teeth, and the apical transport and centering ratio were calculated at 3, 4, and 5 mm from the apex. Group comparisons were conducted using an independent t-test with a significance level set at alpha = 0.05. Results: Comparisons within groups did not reveal any statistically significant differences in the magnitude of canal transportation in the buccolingual (BL) and mesiodistal (MD) directions at any level from the apex, neither in the XPS group nor in the PTN group (p > 0.05). Canal transportation in both BL and MD directions was significantly greater in PTN than in XPS (p < 0.05). The centering ratio in the MD and BL directions was the same at 3, 4, and 5 mm from the apex in the PTN (p > 0.05) and also in the XPS (p > 0.05) groups. The centering ratio was significantly higher in XPS than in PTN (p < 0.05) except at 5 mm from the apex in the MD direction and 4 and 5 mm from the apex in the BL direction (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both buccolingually and mesiodistally, PTN led to greater apical transport than XPS and also showed a lower centering ratio.