Research Article

Technical Quality of Root Canal Treatment Performed by Undergraduate Students with Endodontic Rotary Files and Hand Files

Volume: 28 Number: 4 December 29, 2025
EN

Technical Quality of Root Canal Treatment Performed by Undergraduate Students with Endodontic Rotary Files and Hand Files

Abstract

Objective: The technical quality of root canal treatment (RCT) can affect long-term prognosis. This retrospective study aimed to determine whether the use of rotary or manual instrumentation by fourth-year dental students has an impact on the technical quality of RCTs. Materials and Methods: A total of 238 teeth from patients who presented to the endodontic clinic underwent RCT performed by fourth-year dental students, using either rotary instruments (137 teeth) or hand files (101 teeth), followed by obturation with the cold lateral condensation technique. The data for this retrospective study were obtained from recorded radiographs and student clinical logbooks. The technical quality of the RCTs was evaluated based on parameters such as length, density, and taper. ANOVA and Chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis of the data. Results: Among the 238 teeth that underwent RCT, the overall rate of adequate technical quality was 54.5% for hand instrumentation (HI) and 67.9% for rotary instrumentation (RI) (p < 0.05). RI provided a significantly higher quality of obturation. In the parameters of density (D) and taper (T), RI (L: 93.4%, D: 86.1%, T: 72.3%) was significantly more adequate compared to HI (L: 96.0%, D: 76.2%, T: 59.4%) (p < 0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of the length (L) parameter (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The use of rotary instrumentation has contributed to the delivery of more acceptable treatments by enhancing the technical quality of procedures performed by undergraduate students.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

December 29, 2025

Submission Date

June 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 20, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 28 Number: 4

EndNote
Ayhan M, Yıldız T (December 1, 2025) Technical Quality of Root Canal Treatment Performed by Undergraduate Students with Endodontic Rotary Files and Hand Files. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 28 4 526–532.

Cumhuriyet Dental Journal (Cumhuriyet Dent J, CDJ) is the official publication of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry. CDJ is an international journal dedicated to the latest advancement of dentistry. The aim of this journal is to provide a platform for scientists and academicians all over the world to promote, share, and discuss various new issues and developments in different areas of dentistry. First issue of the Journal of Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Dentistry was published in 1998. In 2010, journal's name was changed as Cumhuriyet Dental Journal. Journal’s publication language is English.


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