Transportación y centricidad en conductos curvos con ProTaper Next y PathFile / Transportation and Centering in Curved Canals with ProTaper Next and PathFile

Abstract

Background: Rotary instruments of the ProTaper Next System have a continuous mo- tion and an off-centered rectangular cross section that gives the files a unique snake-like swaggering movement. There are doubts if the system is able to maintain root canals in a centered position. Objective: To evaluate, through cone beam volumetric positron, the transportation and centering ability of ProTaper Next System with and without PathFile, in root canals with moderate curvature. Methods: The sample consisted of 67 molar root ca- nals with moderate curvatures. The specimens were stored in 10 % formalin, later sectioned and uncrowned, and analyzed through cone beam scans before and after instrumentation using ProTaper Next. Specimens were assigned into two groups: with and without PathFile. The image analysis was performed using the OsiriX software, which allowed evaluating the centering ability and transportation of middle, apical, and coronal thirds, in the lingual- buccal and mesio-distal direction, through image overlapping before and after scan. Results: The groups maintained centering ability without transporting the root canals through a buccal-palatal and mesio-distal direction in the coronal, middle and apical thirds. There were not statistically significant differences between groups based on centering ability and transportation (p<0.05). Conclusions: Root canal instrumentation with ProTaper Next, with or without glide path performed with PathFile, does not affect centering ability or root canal transportation.