A Clinical Study of the ProTaper Nickel - titaniun Rotary Technique in Root Canal Preparation

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcome of ProTaper nickel - titanium(NiTi) rotary instruments in root canal preparations. Methods 312 patients were divided into two groups randomly: 156 cases were prepared for using the ProTaper technique (PT group); 156 cases were prepared for stainless steel hand K - files and the Step - down technique (SS group). The preparation time and incidence of instrument fracture were recorded. Root canal obturation was carried out at the same visit and the outcome was evaluated based on post - operative radiographs. Patients were reviewed 3 days later. The incidence and degree of post - operative pain were recorded. Results The preparation time was (4.06 + 0.51)min in PT group and (6.11 + 0.56)min in SS group. 89.25% of the canals in PT group were obturated as compared with 78.12% in SS group. The incidences of post - operative pain were 2.25 % in PT group while 9.05 % in SS group. The rate of instrument fracture in PT group was 5.64% as compared with 1.52% in SS group. Differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P 0.01). Conclusion The ProTaper technique showed better shaping ability and improved predictability in root canal obturation than stainless steel hand instruments. It was highly efficient as well. The incidence of instrument fracture, however, was higher than that of stainless steel hand K- files.