Basic Research—Technology
Fracture Strength of Tooth Roots following Canal Preparation by Hand and Rotary Instrumentation

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Abstract

The study aimed to determine fracture loads in tooth roots after canal preparation using different techniques. Mesiobuccal roots of 39 extracted mandibular molars were used. Three groups each of 13 roots were prepared by stainless steel hand files (K-files), and two rotary nickel-titanium techniques (Lightspeed and Greater Taper files). After obturation, a vertical load was applied by means of a spreader inserted into the canal until fracture occurred. The mean fracture load was 10.2 ± 4.4 kg for K-files, 15.7 ± 9.1 kg for Lightspeed and 13.2 ± 6.1 kg for Greater Taper files, but differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Most fracture lines were incomplete fractures on the buccal surface, followed by proximal and compound fractures. Greater apical enlargement (Lightspeed) or increased canal taper (Greater Taper files) did not increase fracture susceptibility of tooth roots.

Section snippets

Materials and Methods

Human mandibular first and second molars extracted for routine clinical reasons were stored in 10% neutral buffered formalin for at least 2 weeks and then in distilled water until they were tested. The teeth were thoroughly cleaned with an ultrasonic scaler and examined by the naked eye for immature root apices, cracks on the root surface, fused mesial canals, gross caries involving the root, and for exceptionally short, thin, or curved roots. Teeth with these characteristics were discarded.

Load at Fracture

In Table 2 and Fig. 1 the fracture loads of the roots in the three groups are shown. LS showed the highest fracture load (15.7 ± 9.1 kg), followed by GT files (13.2 ± 6.1 kg) and then K-files (10.2 ± 4.4 kg). Fracture loads ranged from as low as 4.0 kg to a high of 38.5 kg across the three instrumentation groups, with a four- to eight-fold range in each group. The differences between groups were not statistically significant at the 95% confidence level (p = 0.132). It should be noted that one

Discussion

Resistance to fracture is an important consideration in endodontics, and in subsequent restoration and function. The root may be weakened by excessive removal of dentin during canal preparation or post space preparation, increasing susceptibility to root fracture. Experimental techniques for investigating root fracture have generally involved the generation of force within the canal space by means of a spreader inserted into the obturated canal (2, 3, 16, 17, 18). Loading of the canal walls may

Acknowledgements

This study was carried out as an undergraduate summer research project supported by a research grant from the Australian Dental Research Foundation Inc.

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