Comparative Evaluation of Cleaning Efficacy of Three Different Single File Systems: An In Vitro Study

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the canal cleaning efficacy of these three file systems using scanning electron microscopy.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the Department of Conservative dentistry and Endodontics, Institute of Dental Sciences Sehora, between October 2020 and December 2020.

Materials and Methods: Access cavity preparation was performed on sixty extracted human mandibular premolar teeth and working length was determined. The samples were randomly divided into three groups (n=20) depending upon the file system used i.e. Group 1 (Reciproc Blue), Group 2 (Waveone Gold) and Group 3 (F360). Samples were split into two halves by creating longitudinal grooves on the buccal and lingual surfaces. The samples were sputter-coated with gold and examined under scanning electron microscope at 5000X. The dentinal wall of root canal at coronal, middle and apical thirds of each sample were evaluated for the presence of determining the canal cleanliness and then analyzed using a five-score index.

Results: The results of this study revealed that Group 1 (Reciproc Blue) exhibited better cleaning efficacy than samples of Group 2 (WaveOne Gold) and Group 3 (F360) at different locations in the canal i.e. coronal, middle and apical. The mean debris present was highest in coronal area for both group 2 and group 3 i.e. 2.1 and least was seen in apical area of group 1 i.e. 0.3. (p<0.05)

Conclusion: Reciproc Blue single-file showed highest cleaning efficacy followed by Waveone Gold and F360. Reciproc file also showed effective cleaning in the apical third of the canal.