Microcomputed tomographic evaluation of canal transportation and centring ability of ProTaper Next and Twisted File Adaptive systems

Aim To evaluate canal transportation and centring ability of ProTaper Next (PTN) and Twisted File Adaptive (TFA) systems using microcomputed tomographic (micro-CT) imaging. Methodology Twenty isthmus-containing mesial roots of mandibular molars were anatomically matched based on similar morphological dimensions using micro-CT evaluation (resolution of 14.25 mu m) and assigned to two experimental groups (n = 10) according to the system used for root canal preparation: PTN and TFA groups. Then, the specimens were scanned again and the matched images of the mesial canals, before and after preparation, were examined at three cross-section levels (3, 5 and 7 mm from the apical end of the root) to analyse canal transportation and centring ratio. Independent-samples t-test was used to compare canal transportation and centring ratio between the groups. All statistical procedures were performed with a significance level set at 5%. Results Root canals prepared with either PTN or TFA systems had similar canal transportation and centring ratios at all levels (P > 0.05). Conclusion PTN and TFA had similar results regarding canal transportation and centring ability.