Research Article

Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study

Volume: 29 Number: 2 July 1, 2026
TR EN

Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the technical quality of root canal fillings (RCFs) performed by undergraduate students using different instrumentation techniques on extracted human teeth. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 permanent human teeth (72 canines, 62 maxillary first premolars, and 66 mandibular molars) were obturated by students following hand instrumentation (HI) (n = 100) or rotary instrumentation (RI) (n = 100). Overall technical quality, filling length, density, taper, iatrogenic errors, and preparation and obturation times were assessed according to instrumentation technique and tooth type. Group comparisons were analysed using generalized estimating equations (GEE), and preparation and obturation times were analysed using linear mixed models. Results: Overall, 76 of 200 teeth (38.0%) were classified as acceptable. RI significantly increased the odds of acceptable RCF quality versus HI (OR = 4.03, 95% CI: 1.54–10.53; p = 0.004), with a significant instrumentation-by-tooth-type interaction (p = 0.004). Crude proportions were higher with RI than HI (45.0% vs. 31.0%), with the largest difference in molars (47.1% vs. 18.8%; p = 0.015), while subgroup differences were not significant in canines (69.4% vs. 50.0%; p = 0.093) or premolars (13.3% vs. 21.9%; p = 0.379). RI was associated with better length and taper (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively), whereas density did not differ significantly (p = 0.095). Iatrogenic errors occurred in 14.5% of teeth and were not significantly different between techniques (p = 0.159), although they were more frequent in premolars and molars than in canines. Linear mixed models showed significantly shorter preparation and obturation times with RI (both p < 0.001). Conclusions: RI improved the overall technical quality of RCFs and significantly reduced preparation and obturation times compared with HI, with the greatest benefit observed in molar teeth, while the incidence of iatrogenic errors was comparable between techniques.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Endodontics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 1, 2026

Submission Date

January 9, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 17, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 29 Number: 2

APA
Ayhan, M., Ünlü, A., & Erkal, D. (2026). Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal, 29(2), 327-336. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1859858
AMA
1.Ayhan M, Ünlü A, Erkal D. Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026;29(2):327-336. doi:10.7126/cumudj.1859858
Chicago
Ayhan, Muhammed, Asım Ünlü, and Damla Erkal. 2026. “Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 (2): 327-36. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1859858.
EndNote
Ayhan M, Ünlü A, Erkal D (July 1, 2026) Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29 2 327–336.
IEEE
[1]M. Ayhan, A. Ünlü, and D. Erkal, “Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study”, Cumhuriyet Dent J, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 327–336, July 2026, doi: 10.7126/cumudj.1859858.
ISNAD
Ayhan, Muhammed - Ünlü, Asım - Erkal, Damla. “Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal 29/2 (July 1, 2026): 327-336. https://doi.org/10.7126/cumudj.1859858.
JAMA
1.Ayhan M, Ünlü A, Erkal D. Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026;29:327–336.
MLA
Ayhan, Muhammed, et al. “Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study”. Cumhuriyet Dental Journal, vol. 29, no. 2, July 2026, pp. 327-36, doi:10.7126/cumudj.1859858.
Vancouver
1.Muhammed Ayhan, Asım Ünlü, Damla Erkal. Technical Quality of Root Canal Fillings Performed by Preclinical Dental Students: A Randomized Crossover Study. Cumhuriyet Dent J. 2026 Jul. 1;29(2):327-36. doi:10.7126/cumudj.1859858

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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