Effects of a Novel NiTi Thermomechanical Treatment on the Geometric Features of the Prepared Root Canal System

Determination of a Representative and 3D-Printable Root Canal Geometry for Endodontic Investigations and Pre-Clinical Endodontic Training-An Ex Vivo Study

Models of artificial root canals are used in several fields of endodontic investigations and pre-clinical endodontic training. They allow the physical testing of dental treatments, the operating of instruments used and the interaction between these instruments and the tissues. Currently, a large number of different artificial root canal models exist whose geometry is created either on the basis of selected natural root canal systems or to represent individual geometrical properties. Currently, only a few geometric properties such as the root canal curvature or the endodontic working width are taken into consideration when generating these models. To improve the representational capability of the artificial root canal models, the aim of the current study is therefore to generate an artificial root canal based on the statistical evaluation of selected natural root canals. Here, the approach introduced by Kucher for determining the geometry of a root canal model is used, which is based on the measurement and statistical evaluation of the root canal center line's curvatures and their cross-sectional dimensions. Using the example of unbranched distal root canals of mandibular molars (n = 29), an artificial root canal model representing the mean length, curvature, torsion and cross-sectional dimensions of these teeth could be derived.

The state of the art and future trends of root canal files from the perspective of patent analysis: a study design

The goal of this review is to present a detailed and comprehensive description of the published work from the past decade regarding methods of improved material, geometric design, and additional functions in root canal files. The main improved methods of files and the most common technologies were further addressed, underlining their advantages and main limitations. Online databases (the Derwent Innovations Index) were consulted on this topic. Published work from 2010 to 2022 was collected and analyzed the relevant papers were chosen for inclusion in this review. The patent map classified the latest phase of the root canal files based on the analysis of the number of patents. The performance of the root canal files, such as materials. Directly affects the quality of the root canal therapy. We provided a thorough review of advances in the field of root canal files. In particular, three categories of improved methods were examined and compared, including material-based methods, geometry-based methods, and those based on additional functions. To understand this state of the art of different improved methods of root canal files, we conducted a literature analysis and a series of comparisons between different methods. The features and limitations of each method of root canal files were further discussed. Finally, we identified promising research directions in advancing the methods for the improved performance of root canal files. There is no perfect technology for all material/geometric design/additional functions, capable alone of fulfilling all the specificity and necessities of every patient. Although it is very promising, the material of the files remains understudied, and further work is required to make material science a pervasive technology in root canal therapy, and contribute to endodontic and periapical diseases by assisting in the subsequent development of root canal files.

Analysis of the Morpho-Geometrical Changes of the Root Canal System Produced by TF Adaptive vs. BioRace: A Micro-Computed Tomography Study

We aimed to analyze the morpho-geometric changes of the root canal system created by two rotary systems (TF Adaptive and BioRace) using micro-CT technology. Two concepts of rotary file system kinematics, continuous rotation and adaptive kinematics, were used in root canal preparation. Twenty mandibular molars (n = 20) were selected with the following criteria: the teeth have mesial roots with a single and continuous isthmus connecting the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals (Vertucci’s Type I configuration) and distal roots with independent canals. Teeth were scanned at a resolution of 14 μm. Canals were divided equally into two groups and then enlarged sequentially using the BioRace system and TF Adaptive system according to manufacturer protocol. Co-registered images, before and after preparation, were evaluated for morphometric measurements of canal surface area, volume, structure model index, thickness, straightening, and un-instrumented surface area. Before and after preparation, data were statistically analyzed using a paired sample t-test. After preparation, data were analyzed using an unpaired sample test. The preparation by both systems significantly changed canal surface area, volume, structure model index, and thickness in both systems. There were no significant differences between instrument types with respect to these parameters (p > 0.05). TF Adaptive was associated with less straightening (8% compared with 17% for BioRace in the mesial canal, p > 0.05). Both instrumentation systems produced canal preparations with adequate geometrical changes. BioRace straightened the mesial canals more than TF Adaptive.