• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.294-302
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the canal configuration after shaping by ProFile. ProTaper and K-Flexofile in simulated resin canals with different angles of curvature. Three types of instruments were used: ProFile. ProTaper. K-Flexofile. Simulated root canals. which were made of epoxy resin. were prepared by ProFile. ProTaper with rotary instrument using a crown-down pressureless technique. and hand instrumentation was performed by K-Flexofile using a step-back technique. All simulated. canals were prepared up to size 25 file at end-point of preparation. Pre and post instrumentation images were recorded with Scanner. Assessment of canal shape was completed with Image Analysis program. Measurements were made at 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9 and 10mm from the apex. At each level. outer canal width. inner canal width. total canal width. and amount of transportation from original axis were recorded. Instrument deformation and fracture were recorded. Data were analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA analysis of variance and the Sheffe's test. The result was that ProFile and ProTaper maintain original canal shape regardless of the increase of angle of curvature than K-Flexofile. ProFile show significantly less canal transportation and maintained original canal shape better than ProTaper.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.200-205
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• 2001

이 연구의 목적은 만곡 근관에서 다양한 크기로 근첨을 형성하였을 때 형성 전후의 근관의 전이 정도를 분석하고자 하는 것이다. 만곡된 근관을 가진 투명한 레진블럭 상에서 ProFile .06 taper와 K-flexofile을 이용하여 각각 근관형성을 시행하고 이를 똑같은 위치가 재현가능한 고정틀에 위치시킨 후 사진의 이중노출 기법을 이용하여 근관형성 전후의 근관의 전이정도를 분석한 결과 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. ProFile의 경우 형성된 근관이 taper한데 비해 K-flexofiles의 경우 형성된 근관이 taper하지 못하고 확대가 더 컸다. K-flexofiles의 경우 ProFile의 경우보다 근첨 0~6mm 부위에서 유의하게 더 굵었다(p<0.05). 2. 만곡외측으로의 확대양상은 ProFile의 경우 대체적으로 taper하나 근첨 3~4mm부위가 약간 굵었다. K-flexofile의 경우 만곡외측으로의 확대양상은 taper하지 못하고 불규칙하였다. ProFile에 비해 근첨 0~2mm에서 유의하게 확대가 더 컸다(p<0.05). 3. 만곡내측으로의 확대양상은 모든 군에서 taper하였으나 K-flexofile의 경우 ProFile의 경우보다 확대가 더 컸다. K-flexofile의 경우 ProFile에 비해 근첨 3~5mm부위에서 유의하게 확대가 더 컸다(p<0.05).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.244-253
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• 1997

During preparation of narrow curved canals, procedural accidents such as, ledge, zipping, and transportation are frequently encountered and may lead to failure of endodontic therapy. To reduce these procedural errors and efficiently manage curved canals, various modifications in instrumentation technique and the design and flexibility of instruments have been advocated. This study compared the maintenance of the original canal curvature, cross sectional canal shape, and preparation time during instrumentation with stainless steel hand (K-Flexo) file, and nickel-titanium rotary files (Profile and Lightspeed). Thirty resin blocks with simulated curved canals of 20~25 degrees were used and divided into three groups of 10 each. In group 1, canals were instrumented using a quarter turn/pull technique with K-Flexofiles. Group 2 canals were prepared with rotary NiTi Profiles. Group 3 was prepared with rotary NiTi Lightspeed instrument. Before and after instrumentation, all canals were scanned using stereo microcope, FlexCam camera, and Photoshop 3.0 computer program. The results were as follows : 1. All groups showed some loss of canal curvature after instrumentation. Average loss of canal curvature was 8.6 degrees for K-Flexofile, 7.7 degrees for Profile, and 5.8 degrees for Lightspeed. Lightspeed exhibited significantly less curvature loss than K-Flexofile (p<0.05). 2. At the apical 1-mm level, Profile produced significantly rounder canals than Lightspeed (p<0.05). At the 3-mm level, Profile and Lightspeed exhibited significantly rounder canals than K-Flexofile (p<0.05). 3. Preparation with Lightspeed was significantly faster than Profile and K-Flexofile, and Profile was faster than K-Flexofile (p<0.05). 4. There was no significant difference in incidence of zipping between the hand K-Flexofile and rotary NiTi (Profile and Lightspeed) instruments. Most of apical canals were slightly widened near the apical foramen. As a results of this study, rotary NiTi instruments are superior to the K-Flexofile in regard to the maintenance of original canal curvature, cross-sectional shape and preparation time. But more investigations and studies should be needed to evaluate the ideal canal instrumentation.

• Proceedings of the KACD Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.554-554
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• 2003

I. Objectives This study was done to evaluate the shaping ability of ProFile and ProTaper, K-Flexofile during instrumentation in simulated resin canals with different angles of curvature. II. Materials and Methods Ninety simulated root canals with a curvature of 15, 30 and 45 degree (following Schneider's method) were made of epoxy resin ($EPOXICURE^{TM}$, BUEHLER, USA) for this study. The canal length of simulated root canals was adjusted to 18 mm. The beginning point of curvature was positioned at 10mm from the canal orifice.(omitted)

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.196-206
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• 2002

본 연구는 근관의 치관부는 GT Rotary file을 이용하여 성형하고, 근단부는 K-Flexofile, ProFile .04, Lightspeed, HERO642 file로 성형하여 근관용 file의 근관성형력을 비교하는 것이다. 실험 표본으로는 resin simulated root canal blocks(Dentsply, Swiss)를 이용하였고 4개의 군으로 분류하여 실험을 실시하였다. 모든 resin block을 GT Rotary file(Dentsply, Swiss)을 이용하여 치관부를 형성한 후 근단부는 K-Flexofile(Dentsply, Swiss), ProFile .04 taper file(Denstply. Swiss), Lightspeed file(Lightspeed Tech., USA), HERO642 file(Micromega, France)로 ISO size #35까지 형성하였다. 성형 후 preparation time과 instrument failure를 측정하였고 최종 사용한 file을 resin block 내에 재위치시켜 working length의 변화량을 0.5mm 단위로 측정하였다. Resin debris에 의한 canal blockage를 조사하였으며, 근관 내의 인상을 채득하여 canal form을 평가하였다. 성형 전과 성형 후의 사진을 촬영하고 computer software를 이용하여 중첩시킨 후 canal aberration, canal transportation을 평가하여 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 1. Preparation time, working length의 변화량, canal blockage, canal aberration, canal transportation에 있어서 Ni-Ti file이 stainless steel file에 비하여 우수하였다(p<0.05). 반면에 근관성형력에 있어서 canal form과 canal transportation을 제외하고는 세 Ni-Ti file 사이에는 유의차가 없었다(p>0.05). 2. Canal form 중 taper에 있어서 Lightspeed는 적절하지 못한 taper를 보여주었다(p<0.05). 3. Canal transportation에 있어서 Lightspeed 군과 HER0642 군이 K-Flexofile 군과 ProFile .04 군에 비해 적게 나타났고(p<0.05), 특히 만곡의 끝 부분에서는 Lightspeed 군이 가장 적게 나타났다(p<0.05). 이상과 같은 연구결과로 보아 부적절한 taper를 지니고 있던 Lightspeed fie과 HERO642 file 중 HERO642 file은 GT Rotary file과 함께 사용함으로써 적절한 taper로 형성할 수 있었으나 Lightspeed file은 효과적이지 못하였으므로 적절한 taper를 형성하기 위한 file이 치근의 중간부를 형성하기 위해 필요함이 확인되었다.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.388-395
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• 1997

Maintaining the original canal path during instrumentation is a challenge in narrow curved canals. This study compared the maintenance of the original canal path of curved root canals during instrumentation with two kinds of stainless steel K-files(Brassler USA & Mani Japan), K-flexofiles(Maillefer Swiss) and Ni-Ti files(Brassler USA, Savannah, GA) using circumferential filing technique to # 40 MAF on 60 extracted human molars. Buccal and mesial canals with minimal initial curvature of 20 degrees were used. The maximal initial curvature was 41.5 degrees. Sixty curved canals divided into four groups according to file type(Group 1 : Ni-Ti file, Group 2 : K-flexofile, Group 3: K-file(Brassler), Group 4 : K-file(Mani)). Radiographs of canals were obtained before and after canal shaping. And postoperative radiographs were compared with preoperative radiographs using superimposition method. Data analysis was performed using Covariance analysis and paired-comparison test. The results observed were as follow ; 1. The angle of curvature was better maintained with Ni-Ti file than with stainless steel files. (p<0.01) 2. There was no significant difference in maintaining canal curvature between K-flexofile, Brassler$^{(R)}$ K-file and Mani$^{(R)}$ K-file, although there was some differences in mean values of postoperative canal curvature. 3. Paired-comparison t test revealed significant differences within each of the three stainless steel file types when comparing the mean differences before and after instrumentation, but no significant differences were observed within Ni-Ti file group.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.61-68
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to compare the centering abilities of four root canal instrument systems and the amounts of dentin removed after root canal shaping using them. The mesial canals of twenty extracted mandibular first molars having $10-20^{\circ}$ curvature were scanned using X-ray micro-computed tomography (XMCT)-scanner before root canals were instrumented. They were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group). In Group 1, root canals were instrumented by the step-back technique with stainless steel K-Flexofile after coronal flaring. The remainders were instrumented by the crown-down technique with Profile (Group 2), ProTaper (Group 3) or K3 system (Group 4). All canals were prepared up to size 25 at the end-point of preparation and scanned again. Scanned images were processed to reconstruct three-dimensional images using three-dimensional image software and the changes of total canal volume were measured. Pre-and post-operative cross-sectional images of 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from the apical foramen were com pared. For each level, centering ratio were calculated using Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and image software program. ProTaper and K3 systems have a tendency to remove more dentin than the other file systems. In all groups, the lowest value of centering ratio at 3 mm level was observed. And except at 3 mm level, ProTaper system made canals less centered than the other systems (p < 0.05).

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare and evaluate the shaping abilities of various hybrid instrumentation method using constant tapered file systems with $ProTaper\^{(R)}$ S1 and the difference between experts and inexperienced clinicians in use of NiTi file. Three hybrid methods used in this study were composed of $ProTaper\^{(R)}\;S1\;and\;K-Flexofile\^{(R)}\;(group S),\;ProTaper\^{(R)}\;S1\;and\;HeroShaper\^{(R)}\;(group\;H),\;and\;ProTaper\^{(R)}\;S1\;and\;ProFile\^{(R)}\;(group\;P)$respectively. The $ProTaper\^{(R)}$-alone method (group C) was introduced as a control group. After canal preparation, the lapse of time was recorded. The images of pre- and post-operative canal were scanned and superimposed. Amounts of instrumented canal widths and centering ratio were measured at apical 1, 2 and 3 mm levels and statistical analysis was performed In this study. both of the group C and S took more time to prepare canals than other groups, Inexperienced operators required more time for the entire preparation with the groups C and H than the experienced (p<0.05). And the centering ratio of group P were preferable to $ProTaper\^{(R)}$-alone method or the hybrid technique using stainless steel files. As such, within experienced operators, group H also showed better results in addition to the group P. Under these condition, the hybrid methods of each the $ProFile^{(R)}$ system and $HeroShaper^{(R)}$ with ProTaper are recommendable comparative to $ProTaper\^{(R)}$-alone method. According to the results, the hybrid instrumentation method is a more appropriate method of canal preparation than single file system for narrow or curved canals.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.45 no.6 s.457
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• pp.362-369
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the hybrid instrumentation method with ProTaper and ProFile on the change of root canal area and distance from the canal to the root surface after canal shaping. The mesial canals of twenty extracted mandibular first molars having $10-20^{\circ}\Delta$ curvature were scanned using X-ray microcomputed tomography (XMCT)-scanner before root canals were instrumented. They were divided into four groups (n=10 canals ter group). In Group 1, root canals were instrumented by the step-back technique with stainless steel K-Flexofile after coronal flaring. The remainders were instrumented by the crown-down technique with, ProTaper system (Group 2), ProFile (Group 3) or ProTaper (Group 4). All canals were prepared up to size 25 at the end-point of preparation and scanned again. Pre- and post-operative cross-sectional images of 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from the apical foramen were compared. For each level, change of cross-sectional canal are and distance to the nearest external root surface was calculated using Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and image software program. In the change of cross-sectional area, Group 4 was less than Group 2 at 3 mm and 5 mm level (p<0.05). In the difference of the distance from the canal to the root surface after canal shaping, Group 4 was least among the other groups at 7 mm level (p<0.05). According to the results, the methods using ProFile or K file only and the hybrid instrumentation technique using ProTaper and ProFile are more appropriate methods of canal preparation than ProTaper system for narrow of curved canals.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.435-442
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• 2008

Type II root canal was defined that two canals leave the chamber and merge to form a single canal at short of the apex. The aim of this study was to analyse the master apical file (MAF) size according to various instrumentation techniques in the type II root canal when each canal was enlarged to working length. Eighty mesial roots of molar with ISO #15 initial apical file (IAF) size in type II root canals were randomly divided into four experimental groups with 20 teeth each. According to enlarging instruments, four groups are: K-$FLEXOFILE^{(R)}$ (KF), engine-driven Ni-Ti $P_{RO}T_{APER}{^{(R)}}$ (PT), HERO $Shaper^{(R)}$ (HS), $K^{3\;TM}$ (K3). All canals were enlarged to each working length with ISO #30 size: #30 in KF, F3 in PT, .04/30 in HS, and .06/30 in K3. The master apical file (MAF) size was confirmed by tactile sensation and universal test- ing machine (EZ test, Shimadzu Co., Kyoto, Japan). The mean MAF size was statistically compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD test at the 0.05 probability level. These results show that the MAF size was appeared one or two sizes larger than the final enlarging instrument when all canal in type II configuration were enlarged to each working length. Therefore, the clinician have to confirm the apical stop once more after instrumentation of type II root canal.