Efficacy of Root Canal Instrumentation and Fracture Strength Assessment in Primary Molars after Preparing Two Different Shapes of Access Cavity: An Ex Vivo Histological Study

AIM AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of root canal instrumentation and fracture strength assessment in primary molars after preparing different shapes of access cavity design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty extracted primary mandibular molars with at least 2/3rd roots were randomly, equally divided into two groups based on shapes of the access cavities; Group I: Traditional access cavity (TAC), Group II: Conservative access cavity (CAC). Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups with 15 samples each. After, root canal debridement, samples in subgroup 1 were sectioned for histological evaluation of root canal instrumentation efficacy, while subgroup 2 were assessed for fracture strength using a Universal Testing Machine. The data were analyzed statistically using Mann–Whitney and post hoc Tukey tests, with a p value <0.05. RESULTS: Traditional access cavity showed statistically significant root canal debridement efficacy (p < 0.05) compared with CAC. Statistically significant differences were obtained between fracture strength values among the two groups (p < 0.05), with considerably higher fracture strength in the CAC group than TAC. CONCLUSION: Traditional access cavity design resulted in complete root canal debridement but caused weakening of tooth structure due to low fracture strength, necessitating the use of full coverage restoration postendodontic therapy. HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE: Singhal Y, Srivastava N, Rana V, et al. Efficacy of Root Canal Instrumentation and Fracture Strength Assessment in Primary Molars after Preparing Two Different Shapes of Access Cavity: An Ex Vivo Histological Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2021;14(4):518–524.