A Comparison of Preparation Times between Manual, Rotary, and Reciprocating Files in Primary Molar Pulpectomy

Abstract

Aim: To compare preparation times using manual, rotary, and reciprocating files during pulpectomy treatment of primary molars. Settings and Design: This study was an in vitro, randomised, cross-sectional study. Methods: The study was performed on 60 extracted human primary mandibular second molars. Only mesiobuccal canals were prepared using one of three preparation techniques; each preparation technique group comprised 20 canals. Canal preparations were performed by a single, skilled operator using stainless-steel (ss) K-files (ISO size 20–35), a ProTaper Gold SX file, and a WaveOne Gold Medium file following glide path preparation. Preparation times were recorded in second (s) with a digital stopwatch. Statistical Analysis: Preparation times were compared using analysis of variance and the Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance, where appropriate. The level of significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The mean preparation time using the ss K-files was significantly longer (186.4 s) than when using the ProTaper Gold SX (29.6 s) or WaveOne Gold Medium files (30.5 s) (P 0.05).

Keywords

• preparation time
• protaper gold sx
• pulpectomy
• single-visit pulpectomy
• waveone gold medium