A laboratory study of the impact of ultraconservative access cavities and minimal root canal tapers on the ability to shape canals in extracted mandibular molars and their fracture resistance

Abstract

Ultraconservative endodontic access cavities did not offer any advantages in comparison with traditional endodontic access cavities on the ability to shape canals, nor the fracture resistance of mandibular molars. No differences were observed in shaping ability and fracture resistance between .03 and .05 taper canal preparations. Apical preparation with larger instruments resulted in significantly less untouched canal area in all groups.