Crown-down preflaring in the determination of the first apical file

• Published in: Brazilian oral research 2010-06, Vol.24 (2), p.153-157
• Main Authors: Silveira, Luiz Fernando Machado, Silveira, Carina Folgearini, Castro, Luis Antônio Suita de, César Neto, João Batista, Martos, Josué
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dental Pulp Cavity - anatomy & histology; Dentistry; DENTISTRY, ORAL SURGERY & MEDICINE; electron; Endodontics; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Microscopy; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Molar - anatomy & histology; Molar anatomy; Odontometry; Root canal preparation; Root Canal Preparation - instrumentation; Root Canal Preparation - methods; Root canal therapy; scanning; Tooth Apex - anatomy & histology
• ISSN: 1806-8324; 1807-3107; 1807-3107; 1806-8324
• DOI: 10.1590/S1806-83242010000200005

In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the adaptation of the first apical file after preflaring in mesiobuccal (MB) and mesiolingual (ML) canals of mandibular molars considering the tactile sensibility as a reference. The mesial canals (n = 22) of human mandibular molar teeth were used, and the first instrument to bind to the working length was determined after preflaring and crown-down shaping. Digital images of the root apex were acquired and a single examiner determined the contact of the file with the walls using Image J software. The results showed that the file was in contact in 47.83% and 31.71% in the MB and ML canals, respectively. When the apexes are fused, the average was 40.03%. A descriptive analysis showed that the first apical file did not touch all dentin walls in any of the samples.