Performance of RaCe Instrumentation System in Curved Root Canals: A Comprehensive Analysis by Three Study Methods

ABSTRACT

In this study, curved maxillary molar root canals were instrumented with RaCe rotary system to evaluate 1. the occurrence of canal transportation using a radiographic platform; 2. the action of the instruments on the dentin walls, centering ability and canal enlargement by analysis of digital images; and the percentage of regular dentin surfaces and debris within the canal by histological analysis. Ten mesiobuccal roots of extracted human maxillary molars were embedded in acrylic resin and sectioned at the middle and apical thirds. Root canal shaping was performed using the RaCe rotary system at 250 rpm and 1 Ncm torque. Each instrument set was used five times according to a crown-down technique in the following sequence 40/0.10, 35/0.08, 25/0.06, 25/0.04, 25/0.02 (working length - WL), 30/0.02 (WL) and 35/0.02 (WL). Each instrument was inserted until resistance was felt and then pulled back, followed by brushing movements towards all canal walls. Each specimen was assessed by three study methods: radiographic platform, digitized image assessment and histological analysis. The radiographic platform showed lack of apical transportation. No statistically significant difference (Wilcoxon test, p>0.05) was found between the middle and apical thirds regarding instrument action on dentin walls, centering ability, area of root canal enlargement, percentage of regular dentin surfaces and debris within the root canal. It may be concluded that RaCe system is a suitable method for the preparation of curved root canals, regarding the maintenance of root canal original path, action on dentin walls, canal enlargement and removal of debris from the root canal lumen.

RESUMO

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a presença de desvio apical por meio da plataforma radiográfica, avaliar a ação dos instrumentos, centralização do preparo e ampliação por meio de imagens digitais do canal e calcular a porcentagem de superfícies regulares e presença de debris por meio da análise histológica. Dez raízes mésiovestibulares de molares superiores extraídos foram incluídos em blocos de resina e seccionados no terço médio e apical. O preparo do canal foi feito empregando o sistema RaCe, a 250 rpm e torque de 1 Ncm. Cada sistema rotatório foi usado 5 vezes no sentido coroa-ápice na seguinte sequência 40/0.10, 35/0.08, 25/0.06, 25/0.04, 25/0.02 (comprimento de trabalho - CT), 30/0/02 (CT) e 35/0/02 (CT). Cada amostra foi avaliada por 3 métodos de estudo plataforma radiográfica, imagem digital e análise histológica. A plataforma radiográfica mostrou ausência de transporte apical. Em relação à ação dos instrumentos sobre as paredes dentinárias, centralização do preparo, ampliação, porcentagem de superfícies regulares e presença de debris, o teste estatístico de Wilcoxon não mostrou diferença significativa entre os terços apical e médio. O sistema RaCe se mostrou adequado para o preparo de canais radiculares curvos em relação à manutenção do trajeto original do canal, ação sobre as paredes dentinárias, ampliação e remoção de debris da luz do canal radicular.