The apical seal produced by low-temperature injection of gutta-percha, with or without root canal sealer, in the presence or absence of the smear layer was evaluated quantitatively using an electrochemical technique. The root canals of 44 teeth were prepared with the smear layer intact following a final flush of NaOCl (group 1), while the root canals of a further 44 teeth were prepared and the smear layer removed with a final flush with EDTA followed by NaOCl (group 2). Subgroups were obturated using Ultrafil System alone or accompanied by Calciobiotic Root Canal Sealer. Microleakage data was expressed as a percentage of apical leakage evident in each group. Statistical analysis of the results revealed that the groups obturated with Ultrafil alone showed no significant differences in leakage compared with the groups where sealer was used, either when the smear layer had been left intact or removed. (P > 0.05). However, comparison of the combined two groups with smear layer present versus the combined two groups with smear layer removed showed a highly significant difference (P < 0.01), with the incidence of leakage reduced in the absence of the smear layer.

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Objectives:The aim was to compare the shaping ability of WaveOne reciprocating files with or without glide path in simulated curved S-shaped root canals.Materials and Methods:Forty ISO #15, 0.02 taper, clear resin Endo Training Bloc-S blocks were studied. The simulated curved S-shaped canals were dyed using ink, preinstrumentation images were scanned, and resin blocks were prepared and divided into Group A: PathFile and WaveOne and Group B: WaveOne. All canals were postoperatively scanned. Pre- and postoperative images were superimposed and evaluated at 12 defined measuring points. The efficacy of the systems was compared based on the amount and direction of canal transportation, centering ability, amount of material removed, and presence of canal aberrations. Mann–Whitney U-test and independent t-test were used for statistical comparison.Results:Both systems produced transportation at all levels and straightened the curved S-shaped canals. No significant differences in the amount and direction of transportation and amount of material removed were observed between the groups at each level (P > 0.05). However, Group A had significantly greater centering ability at the coronal straight zone (P = 0.018) and apical curvature (P = 0.014) levels than did Group B. Moreover, Group B showed more canal aberrations than did Group A.Conclusion:Within the limitations of the present study, the creation of a glide path with the PathFile system improved the centering ability of the WaveOne reciprocating file in the apical and straight coronal portions of the simulated curved S-shaped root canals and reduced the incidence of canal aberrations.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of Hero 642 rotary Ni-Ti instruments driven at 300, 400, or 600 rpm on root canal straightening, loss of working length, and instrument breakage. Sixty mesial root canals from extracted human mandibular molars were divided into 3 groups of 20 each and were instrumented at the aforementioned rotational speeds with a crown-down technique. Using a digital intraoral radiography system directly on the images of pre- and postoperative radiographs, degrees of canal curvatures were measured and recorded. Statistical analysis showed that final canal curvatures and working lengths were significantly reduced compared with those of original values in each group (p < 0.001). However, using Hero 642 rotary Ni-Ti system at different rotational speeds had no effect on canal curvature and working length alterations (p > 0.05). No file breakage was observed in any of the groups.