Effectiveness of two niti rotary systems for the treatment of teeth affected by periapical pathosis: a comparative clinical trial

Aim. The relationship between the cutting efficiency of NiTi rotary files and the outcome of their clinical application has not been clearly identified yet. Mtwo files (Sweden&Martina) have been available on the market since several years and are known for their cutting ability. As well as Mtwo, the instruments of the Alphakite system (Komet) are used in a full-length technique but they are characterized by negative rake angles. Because of the more recent introduction of Alphakite files, their performance has been tested by fewer studies. The aim of the present clinical trial is to assess the outcome of the endodontic treatment of teeth affected by periapical periodontitis using Mtwo or Alphakite rotary files. Materials and methods. Patients (mean age 42.5\ub114.4 years) presenting a tooth with periapical pathosis that had not been previously treated were included in the experimentation and randomly assigned to two treatment groups: G1 (n=55), Mtwo and G2 (n=39), Alphakite. The instruments were used according to the instructions of the manufacturer. The irrigation protocol was the same for both groups and consisted of rinses with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (2,5 ml after each instrument). In both groups, canals were filled with the continuous wave of condensation technique. Clinical examination (pain assessment, sensitivity to percussion) and a periapical radiograph were performed at baseline and after six months. Periapical healing was scored according to the scale described by Katebzadeh et al. (2000): 1=healed, 2=improved, 3=failed (increase or no change in the lesion size), 4=unreadable radiograph. Clinical data and radiographic scores were analyzed statistically by non-parametric methods making use of dedicated software (p