Incidence of Instrument Separation among Endodontist and Postgraduate Students in Chennai

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the incidence of instrument separation among endodontists and postgraduate students in Chennai. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted among 102 endodontists and postgraduate students from five dental colleges in Chennai. The questionnaire consisted of 14 questions based on the experience of the endodontist, the file used, the number of times used, the tooth associated with separation, the canal associated with separation, and the region. Results: As experience increased, reusage of the file increased, and breakage decreased. More than 70% of the file separated in the apical region. 59% of the instrument separation occurred in the mesiobuccal canal, followed by 35% in the mesiolingual canal. Seventy-two percent of the participants used Protaper, followed by 16% Neoendo and 11% M Two. Fifty-two percent of instrument fracture was seen with 6% taper, followed by 32% fracture seen with 2% taper. Conclusion: According to the study, the higher the experience, the lower the incidence of separation. The separation was more common in the apical third of the root canal.