Glide Path Enlargement of Mandibular Molar Canals by Using K-files, the ProGlider File, and G-Files: A Comparative Study of the Preparation Times.

INTRODUCTION: The preparation of a glide path before the introduction of rotary nickel-titanium instruments is a standard adjunct to ensure increased safety during root canal preparation. The aim of this study was to compare the mean preparation time of manual instrumentation with K-files, G-Files, and the ProGlider instrument to prepare a glide path in curved root canals.

METHODS: The mesial canals of 90 mandibular molars (with curvature angles between 25° and 35°) were selected. The specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups with 30 canals each, and canal preparations were performed by an endodontist who used #10-15-20 stainless steel manual K-files (group KF), #10 stainless steel manual K-file followed by #12-17 G-File instruments (group GF), and #10 stainless steel manual K-file followed by #16 ProGlider instrument (group PG). The total time it took to prepare the glide paths was recorded with an electronic stopwatch. New instruments were used for each canal.

RESULTS: Glide path enlargement with the PG group (27.9 ± 8.6 seconds) and GF group (41.9 ± 20.1 seconds) was shown to be statistically significantly faster than stainless steel KF group (74.9 ± 24.1 seconds) by using analysis of variance (P < .05). There was no statistically significant difference observed between the mean preparation times of the PG and GF groups (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Glide path preparation times with the rotary instrument groups were significantly faster than with stainless steel manual K-files.