Purpose:
Answer the research question: Can endo initiate or propagate apical cracks?
Materials/Methods:
Subjects: Extracted max single-rooted PM with 2 canals
N= 40
Exclusion criteria: teeth with fracture lines, open apices and anatomical irregularities
Experimental Design:
Apical 1.5 mm was ground and polished for all groups
B canal prepared with GG and K-files to size 40/02 Groups A, B, and C
- A filled with LC+ WVC without sealer
- B filled with LC
- C unfilled
- Group D unprepared and unfilled
Criteria of evaluation:
- Teeth inspected and photographed under microscope for presence of cracks at baseline, preparation, obturation, and after 4 weeks of storage
- Logistic regression and Fisher’s exact test statistical analysis
Results:
Logistic Regression- Crack Initiation
- A significant effect of preparation/ instrumentation (P < 0.05)
- No significant effect of filling or 4-week storage (P > 0.05)
Fisher’s exact test- Crack Progression
- A significant effect of filling (P < 0.05)
- No significant effect of 4-week storage (P > 0.05)
Clinical Significance:
Root canal procedures can potentially initiate and propagate cracks from within the root canal in the apical region