Comparative analysis of simulated root canals shaping, using ProTaper Universal, Next and Gold

Abstract Objectives Evaluation of the changes to the initial simulated root canal anatomy when comparing the preparation made by three different rotary systems: ProTaper Universal, ProTaper Next and ProTaper Gold. Methods The quantitative analysis was made by measuring the canal width of 36 S-shaped canals, distributed by three groups of twelve samples each (Group A – ProTaper Universal, Group B – ProTaper Next, Group C – ProTaper Gold). To measure canal width, pre and post instrumentation images were superimposed and studied using Rhinoceros Software. The statistical analysis was obtained using Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Mann–Whitney post hoc multiple comparisons U test and One-Way ANOVA, with a significance of p Results Considering the inner side of both apical and coronal curvatures, differences between files were statistically significant ( p Conclusions ProTaper Gold was the rotary system that most respected the initial S-shaped canal anatomy. ProTaper Universal was the system that originated the greatest modification of the initial canal, presenting a significant tendency to straighten the apical curvature.