Evaluation of Smear Layer Removal during Canal Preparation Using TruNatomy, ProTaper Next, and Dia-X File Systems: In Vitro Comparative Study
Author(s): Khanda Ali Kareem* and Shakhawan Kadir Kadir
Abstract
Background: To guarantee effective endodontic therapy, any smear layer that forms as a result of the debridement of dentinal walls must be eliminated, as it may reduce the overall efficacy of therapy. Aims: This study aims to evaluate the smear layer removal of TruNatomy (TRN), Protaper Next (PTN), and Dia-X systems. Thirty extracted mandibular premolars with a single canal were chosen. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 10 specimens based on the type of rotary file used for instrumentation: (1) TruNatomy (TRN) system, (2) Protaper Next (PTN) system, and (3) Dia-X system. Samples were irrigated with 5.25 percent NaOCl and Normal saline. Then samples were analyzed using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at a magnification of 2000x at the center of the coronal, middle, and apical areas. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. The apical area had the highest mean values in all three groups [mean(SD)=3.00(0.0)] than the coronal and middle. In the middle region, no significant differences could be seen between the three groups (P>0.05). The coronal region had a lower mean smear layer level across all groups TRN 2.300(0.67), PTN 2.600(0.51), and Dia-X 2.800(0.42). TRN eliminated the smear layer better than PTN and Dia-X in the coronal region, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). All tested groups exhibited greater cleanliness at the coronal and middle thirds comparing to the apical region. TruNatomy files demonstrated superior cleaning capacity in the coronal third compared to other groups.