Microbial Evaluation of Root Canals after Biomechanical Preparation with Manual K-files, Manual H-files, and Kedo-SG Blue Rotary Files: An In Vivo Study

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of Kedo-SG blue rotary files, manual K-files, and manual H-files in eliminating the root canal microflora of primary molars. Materials and methods: Forty-five primary molars requiring pulpectomy were included in the study. Based on type of instrumentation, the teeth were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: group A: Kedo-SG blue rotary files, group B: manual H-files, and group C: manual K-files. Sterile absorbent paper points were used for sample collection and stored in sterile Eppendorf tubes containing saline as transport medium. Culturing was done on thioglycolate agar and blood agar media for the cultivation of anaerobic and aerobic microbes, respectively, and recorded as colony-forming units (CFU) using digital colony counter. Wilcoxon signed-rank test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were performed for statistical analysis. Results: Postinstrumentation, 93–96% reduction of aerobic and anaerobic microbial count was recorded in group A. Whereas, it was 87–91% reduction in group B and 90–91% reduction in group C. No statistically significant difference was noted between the three groups. Conclusion: Kedo-SG blue rotary files showed a better reduction of microbes in root canals when compared to manual instrumentation. However, there was no significant difference between manual and rotary instrumentation in microbial reduction of primary root canals.