Comparison of the effects of TripleGates and Gates-Glidden burs on cervical dentin thickness and root canal area by using cone beam computed tomography.

UNLABELLED

The search for new instruments to promote an appropriate cervical preparation has led to the development of new rotary instruments such as TripleGates. However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no study evaluating TripleGates effect on the "risk zone" of mandibular molars.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a crown-down sequence of Gates-Glidden and TripleGates burs on the remaining cervical dentin thickness and the total amount of dentin removed from the root canals during the instrumentation by using cone beam computed tomography. The number of separated instruments was also evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Mesial roots of 40 mandibular first molars were divided into 2 equal groups: crown-down sequence of Gates-Glidden (#3, #2, #1) and TripleGates burs. Cervical dentin thickness and canal area were measured before and after instrumentation by using cone beam computed tomography and image analysis software. Student's t-test was used to determine significant differences at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed between the instruments, regarding the root canal area and dentin wall thickness.

CONCLUSION

Both tested instruments used for cervical preparation were safe to be used in the mesial root canal of mandibular molars.