Comparative evaluation of the effectiveness and fracture rate of three pathfinding nickel-titanium rotary instruments, Mtwo, OneG, and ProGlider, in mechanically negotiating moderately curved molar canals to the full working length

Aim: To evaluate the scouting ability of three pathfinding nickel-titanium rotary instruments in moderately curved molar canals. Materials and Methods: Ninety maxillary and mandibular molars were collected and were divided randomly into three groups each having 15 maxillary and 15 mandibular molars. The teeth were mounted on a specific apparatus for simulation of dento-alveolar socket. After access cavity preparation, the canals were negotiated with 08 K-file. Glide path preparation was performed using Mtwo or ProGlider or OneG instruments. The number of teeth in which the file reached the full working length (RFWL), number of passes required, and number of fractured instruments were recorded and subjected to statistical analysis using Chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney tests. Results: There was a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.05). The RFWL of ProGlider was significantly higher than that of Mtwo (P = 0.005) and OneG (P = 0.037). The percentage of fracture with ProGlider was 6.67% and both Mtwo and OneG had 26.67% frequency. The difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). There was significant difference in the number of insertion passes in maxillary distobuccal (P < 0.05), mandibular mesiobuccal (P < 0.01), and distal (P < 0.01) canals. ProGlider was the most effective pathfinding instrument due to its file's design and a progressive taper of 2%–8%. This achieves a greater preflaring of the coronal and middle portions of the root canal, rendering the advance of the instrument toward the apex easier. Conclusion: ProGlider performed more efficiently and with less instrument breakage in scouting moderately curved canals of molar teeth.