The Impact of Minimum Invasive Access Cavity Design on the Quality of Instrumentation of Root Canals of Maxillary Molars Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: An in Vitro Study

Aim Minimally invasive dentistry has been facilitated by advances in instruments and restorative materials. This study aims to compare the change in the shaping ability of the RECIPROC blue rotary system in both traditional and conservative access cavities, using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Material and methods Sixty root canals of 20 artificial maxillary molars were assigned into two groups (n=30 root canals) according to the access cavity design used: Group I: traditional access cavity (TAC) and Group II: conservative access cavity (CAC). CBCT scans of samples were made before and after root canal preparation using the RECIPROC blue rotary system. The shaping parameters are evaluated in root canal transportation and the centering ability. Three CBCT sections per tooth were analyzed at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex to assess the canal transportation and centering ability at three levels, apical, middle, and coronal thirds. Data were analyzed using the GraphPad Prism (GraphPad Software, San Diego, CA). Results The results of this study showed a significant difference in transportation within the coronal and middle thirds. However, in apical thirds, there were no significant differences. Both groups observed a significant difference in the centering ability in the coronal third. Conclusion Within the limitations of this study, CAC can be recommended with caution as an alternative access to TAC.