Introduction: Currently there is no standardization of variable taper endodontic files and corresponding gutta-percha (GP) cones. The aim of this study was to evaluate intra- and inter-manufacturer variability in the apical third diameter and taper of GP master cones and finishing files from three commercially available variable taper endodontic systems.
Methods: Diameter measurements were recorded using digital microscopy at 1 mm increments (D1-D4) for F2 files and corresponding GP cones (n = 20 per system) from ProTaper Gold (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Johnson City, TN), EdgeTaper Platinum (EdgeEndo, Albuquerque, NM), and SS White ExactTaper H (SS White, Lakewood, NJ). Taper was defined as the rate of change in diameter per 1mm increment. Mean differences in diameter were assessed using repeated measures of analysis of variance for D1 to D4 and the Wilks test for differences in taper.
Results: File diameters at all increments were significantly smaller than the corresponding GP points for EdgeEndo (p < 0.01) and ProTaper (p < 0.01). ProTaper and EdgeEndo GP point diameters were significantly larger than SS White diameters (p < 0.01). Intra-manufacturer file and GP taper in the apical third was not significantly different (p = 0.99, p = 0.99, respectively) for all systems. EdgeEndo file and GP taper was significantly smaller than taper from SS White (p < 0.01, p< 0.01) and ProTaper (p=0.044, p< 0.01).
Conclusions: Size discrepancies between finishing files and corresponding GP cones can be expected amongst variable taper endodontic systems.
