Effect of taper and metallurgy on cleaning efficacy of endodontic files in primary teeth: An in-vitro study

To determine the effect of metallurgy and taper on primary teeth root canals infected with Enterococcus faecalis, by stainless steel (SS) and nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) endodontic files. Ninety primary teeth root canals were used, in which the canals were sterilized after being enlarged with #15 K-file and then contaminated with an inoculation of a broth of E. faecalis. The teeth were divided into two groups, A and B. A is served as the control group and B as an experimental group. Experimental group was further divided into five subgroups (subgroup B1 - SS K-files: 2% taper, B2 - SS H-files: 2% taper, B3 - SS Flare files: 5% taper, B4 - Ni-Ti: 2% taper, and subgroup B5 - Ni-Ti: 6% taper) based on the metallurgy and taper of different endodontic files used for instrumentation. The post bacterial samples were collected, and were seeded on plates for analysis. After the incubation period, analysis of colony forming units/200 μL was done. The data thus obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Ni-Ti H and ProTaper group: The 6% taper showed a significant bacterial reduction (P < 0.05) and produced cleaner canals than SS K-files: 2% taper, SS H-files: 2% taper, and Ni-Ti K-files: 2% taper. However, there was not much of difference between Ni-Ti H and ProTaper: The 6% taper and SS Flare files: The 5% taper (P > 0.05). It was concluded that metallurgy does not play a significant role in cleaning efficiency of root canals, whereas taper does influence the bacterial reduction and hence produce cleaner canals in primary teeth.