The Effect of Traditional and Ultraconservative Access Cavities On the Increase in Surface Area of Root Canal After Instrumentation: An in Vitro Study

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the impact of ultraconservative and traditional endodontic access cavities on the total percentage increase in the surface area of root canals. Methods: Endodontic instrumentation was performed on 30 simulated maxillary first premolars with two roots using traditional and ultraconservative access cavities via ProTaper Next rotary files. The pre- and postinstrumentation photographs of the root canals were analyzed blindly using Fiji software to determine the percentage increase in surface area. Results: A significant increase in the surface area of the root canal was observed with an ultraconservative endodontic access cavity compared to a traditional access cavity. The difference between the palatal and buccal roots was not significant, but there was a significant difference among the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canal. Conclusion: Ultraconservative access cavities have a significant impact on the increase in surface area of the root canal after instrumentation.