CROSS-SECTIONAL CONFIGURATION OF ENDODONTIC FILES COMPARED WITH MANUFACTURERS DESIGN

The cross-sectional configuration of seven files at coronal and apical levels were compared with diagrams presented by manufacturers. The pr esence of cutting edges was also examined, Ground-twisted (K-file, K-R eamer, and K-flex) and machined files (Flex-R, Unifile, S-file, and He dstrom) were included in #10, #25, and #40. Twelve fires of each size and brand comprised the samples. Files were embedded in acrylic, which was then cut in cross-section in the apical and coronal parts of the flutes, These were photographed under a microscope. Six clinicians vie wed the slides projected onto a screen for comparison with manufacture rs' design and evaluation of visible cutting edges. The inconsistencie s were primarily in machined files, smaller sizes, and apical sections of the instruments. Data showed that overall the cross-sections and p resence of cutting edges compared well with the designs intended by th e manufacturers.