Saayman, C.M.Brittain, RogerDept. of Restorative DentistryFaculty of Dentistry2013-05-282024-04-152007/03/222007/03/222013-05-282024-04-152006https://hdl.handle.net/10566/10874Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent)The purpose of this study was to determine duration time, breakage and apical displacement, whilst using six different endodontic filing systems to prepare molar teeth. A total of 96 molar teeth were used in the study, divided equally, ie 16 teeth per system selected randomly, totalling 48 canals per system. A standardised access cavity was prepared for all the teeth before selection. The canals were filed according to the manufacturers’ guidelines. The result showed that PROTAPER®, K3™ and the combination of: HERO Shaper®, HERO Apical® and Endoflare® (Referred from hereon as HERO System for convenience) were statistically faster than PROFILE® and FlexMaster®, which were in turn faster than AETTM. Although breakage did occur in K3™ and HERO System this was not deemed statistically significant. Apical displacement occurred in the form of Type 1 in the AETTM, PROFILE® and HERO System, but once again this was not statistically significant. It was concluded that more aggressive cutting features such as a positive rake angle, pyramidal shaped tip, progressive taper and absence of radial lands, if present, could have enabled K3™, HERO System and PROTAPER® to have faster times, and in addition these features did not compromise these systems with regard to apical foramina transportation and breakage.enEndodonticsDental pulpDiseasesTreatmentRoot canal therapyThesisUniversity of the Western Cape