Does The Working Length Change When Using The XP-Endo Shaper File at Different Operating Temperatures?

Introduction: This study was directed to evaluate the effect of different operating temperatures on the change in working length when using the XP-endo shaper file. Methods: A total of 20 plastic blocks with16 mm curved canals were used in this study. The working length was adjusted to be 15 mm using a customized Teflon stopper (10mm in length) which was used with all files in the study. The preparation was done using the XP-endo shaper file (FKG, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The blocks were divided into 2 groups: Group 1: body temperature, Group 2: room temperature. Pre and post instrumentation imaging of the blocks was done using the stereomicroscopy at 8x. The images were superimposed to create a composite image on which the evaluation of working length change was done. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the change in working length in the two groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P ≤ 0.05). Conclusions: Within the parameters of this study, although both groups showed an increase in working length when using the XP-endo shaper file, the operating temperature did not have an effect.