Purpose: The aim of the present study was to compare the quality of preparation of oval-shaped canals by using SAF, XP-endo Shaper and hand instruments. Materials and methods: Sixty freshly extracted lower incisors were selected and randomly assigned into three equal groups. All samples were preflared with hand K-files, filled with a radiopaque contrast medium and radiographed. Second radiographs were taken after root canal instrumentation. The removed radiopaque area from the canals was analyzed by digital subtraction of preoperative and postoperative radiographs and its percentage was quantified. Results: In the 0-5 mm root segment, XP-endo Shaper and SAF performed significantly better than hand files (p=0.001, p=0.05, respectively) but the difference between them was insignificant (p=0.067). In the 6-14 mm segment XP-endo Shaper and SAF expressed significantly better quality of preparation compared to hand files (p<0.001, p<0.05, respectively), with the XP-endo Shaper being superior to SAF (p=0.020). Better debriding ability of all tested systems was registered in the apical segment. Conclusions: None of the tested instruments succeeded in complete debridement of the oval-shaped canals. Significantly higher quality of preparation was demonstrated by SAF and XP-endo Shaper in comparison to hand files with the XP-endo Shaper being superior in its shaping ability.

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