The Precision of Propex Pixi with Different Instruments and Coronal Preflaring Procedures

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the instrument regarding the apical fit and type of the alloy and coronal preflaring procedures in the accuracy of Propex Pixi. METHODS: A total of 40 extracted human single-rooted permanent teeth with apical diameters of 200 µm were selected. A #10 K-file was inserted in the root canal until its end could be observed by a dental microscope to obtain the actual working length (WL). Electronic measurements were performed using Propex Pixi to the root apex (“0.0”). Different file alloys (stainless steel [SS] and nickel titanium [NiTi]) and sizes (#10, #15, and #20) were used before and after coronal flaring. Statistical analysis was performed by a factorial analysis of variance (P≤0.05). RESULTS: Results showed that the measurements of electronic length (EL) were closer to the actual working length (WL) after coronal flaring (P<0.05). A significant intraclass correlation was observed between EL and WL. In addition, results showed no significant differences between files with different sizes or alloys. CONCLUSION: Under the conditions of this study, Propex Pixi demonstrated adequate precision. Its accuracy was enhanced by coronal preflaring procedures regardless of the instrument type used (SS or NiTi) and the apical fit.