Optimizing Root Canal Therapy: An In Vitro Comparative Study of Innovative File Systems on Mandibular Premolar Fracture Resistance

Introduction and aim: Root canal therapy is a vital procedure for saving teeth by removing infection and cleaning the complex root canal system. However, a delicate balance exists between thorough cleaning and preserving tooth strength. The study aims to evaluate the instrumentation effect of three innovative file systems, XP-endo (R) shaper, Reciproc (R), and Self-adjusting file (SAF) on fracture resistance of mandibular premolars. Materials and methods: Thirty single-rooted mandibular premolars were collected; a standard access cavity was prepared and the working length was established 1 mm short of the apex. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups(n=10). In Group 1, the shaping of the specimens was achieved using XP-endo (R) shaper; in Group 2, it was instrumented using Reciproc (R) file; and in Group 3, it was instrumented using SAF. All samples were decoronated and the roots were mounted vertically in acrylic resin and subjected to fracture resistance under a universal testing machine. Results: Intergroup analysis was done by one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni post hoc test, which did not report a statistically significant difference (p>0.05). Conclusion: All three tested file systems were similar in fracture resistance. XP-endo (R) shaper exhibited better fracture resistance on root canal instrumentation when compared to Reciproc (R) and SAF although they are not statistically significant.