• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.179-185
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• 2006

This study was conducted to evaluate canal configuration after shaping by $ProTaper^{TM}$ with various rotational speed in J-shaped simulated resin canals. Forty simulated root canals were divided into 4 groups, and instrumented using by $ProTaper^{TM}$ at the rotational speed of 250, 300, 350 and 400 rpm. Pre-instrumented and post-instrumented images were taken by a scanner and those were superimposed. Outer canal width, inner canal width, total canal width, and amount of transportation from original axis were measured at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 mm from apex. Instrumentation time, instrument deformation and fracture were recorded. Data were analyzed by means of one-way ANOVA followed by Scheffe's test. The results were as follows 1. Regardless of rotational speed, at the $1{\sim}2mm$ from the apex, axis of canal was transported to outer side of a curvature, and at 3~6 mm from the apex, to inner side of a curvature. Amounts of transportation from original axis were not sienifcantly different among experimental groups except at 5 and 6 mm from the apex. 2. Instrumentation time of 350 and 400 rpm was significantly less than that of 250 and 300 rpm (p<0.01). In conclusion the rotational speed of $ProTaper^{TM}$ files in the range of $250{\sim}400rpm$ does not affect the change of canal configuration, and high rotational speed reduces the instrumentation time. However appearance of separation and distortion of Ni-Ti rotary files can occur in high rotational speed.