Patency file and apical transportation: An in vitro study

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transportation produced at the apical foramen by the use of stainless steel and nickel-titanium K-files #10, #15, #20, and #25 as a patency file. Thirty human maxillary lateral incisors were transversally cut at 4 mm from the apex and mounted in square pieces of silicone with special marks to ensure repositioning of the specimens. The specimens were randomly divided in two equal groups of 15. In group A, stainless steel K-files #10, #15, #20, and #25 were used as a patency file. In group B, a stainless steel K-file #10 followed by nickel-titanium K-files #15, #20, and #25 were used as in group A. Sodium hypochlorite was used as the irrigating solution. Photographic slides of the apical foramen of each specimen before instrumentation and after the use of each file size were taken. The photographic slides of each specimen were mounted in slide mounts, projected onto the same drawing paper, and superimposed according to the peripheral shape of the root. Transportation of the apical foramen was determined comparing the five drawings of each specimen. Transportation was detected in 18 of the 30 specimens; 9 in group A and 9 in group B. No statistically significant differences were seen between groups (p = 1.00).