BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of different rotary glide path techniques to maintain canal anatomy by comparing canal transportation and centring abilities in curved root canals using X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We selected 36 root canals and randomly assigned them to 3 groups. The first group was instrumented using Pathfile (PF) 1 and PF2, the second group using PF2, and the third group using a Proglider (PG) instrument. Selected tooth samples were scanned using a micro-CT system with 8-µm resolution. Centring ability and transportation were compared at 5 levels: 0.5 mm (A0) and 1 mm (A1) from apical foramen, at the point of maximum root curvature (C0), at 1 mm below it (C–), and 1 mm above it (C+). Area, ratio of areas (RA), perimeter, centroid shift, mean diameter, and ratio of diameter ratios (RDR) were assessed.

RESULTS: In all groups, there were no significant differences between different levels in all parameters (p>0.05). In group 1, the centroid shift was greatest at A0 and C–, and the least impact was at C0. In group 2, the biggest impacts were at C– and A0, and the smallest at C+. In group 3, the greatest impacts were at A0 and A1, and the smallest at C0.

CONCLUSIONS: All 3 instrument groups performed very similarly, without significant differences in canal-shaping parameters. Overall, using just PF2 instead of PF 1 and 2 created very similar shaping results, which could reduce the number of instruments needed and the cost of treatment.

Keywords: Endodontics, Root Canal Preparation, X-Ray Microtomography, Equipment Design, Molar, Tooth Apex