INFLUENCE OF FILE HANDLE ATTACHMENTS ON TACTILE DISCRIMINATION - AN EVALUATION BY DENTAL STUDENTS

This study used a simulator to determine the effectiveness of two file -handle sleeves that are claimed to improve tactile discrimination and the ease of manipulation of endodontic hand instruments. Thirty final -year dental undergraduates inserted files into instrument setting rod s until a putty resistance was felt, following which depth of penetrat ion into the material was measured with a microscope. Results were ana lysed statistically. Despite favourable comments from participants in the trial, the devices failed to deliver enhanced tactile discriminati on.