Effect of Manual and Mechanical Glide Path Preparation on Working Length Accuracy.

NCT07612228 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: SOD/ERB/2025/72
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 60
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Accurate working length determination is essential for successful root canal treatment and is influenced by proper glide path preparation. This in vitro study aims to compare the accuracy of working length achievement following manual and mechanical glide path preparation techniques. Sixty extracted single-rooted permanent teeth will be randomly allocated into two groups. Group 1 will undergo manual glide path preparation using stainless steel K-files, while Group 2 will receive mechanical glide path preparation using rotary PathFile instruments. Initial and final working lengths will be measured using an electronic apex locator and confirmed with digital radiographs. The difference between the initial and final working lengths will be analyzed statistically. The results of this study will help identify the more effective glide path preparation technique for maintaining working length accuracy and improving endodontic treatment outcomes.

Conditions

Achievement of Working Length After Manual Versus Mechanical Glide Path

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Accuracy of working length achievement in mm

  The primary outcome of this study will be the accuracy of working length achievement after glide path preparation using manual and mechanical techniques. It will be assessed by measuring the difference between the initial working length (recorded before instrumentation) and the final working length (recorded after glide path preparation and canal shaping) in millimeters. Working length measurements will be obtained using an apex locator and confirmed with digital periapical radiographs. A smaller difference between the initial and final working lengths will indicate better maintenance and achievement of the accurate working length.

  Six months

Study Arms (2)

Manual Glide Path Preparation

EXPERIMENTAL

Teeth in this arm will undergo glide path preparation using manual stainless steel K-files (size #10) with a watch-winding motion and gentle vertical filing to establish a smooth glide path up to the predetermined working length.

Procedure: Manual Glide Path Preparation

Mechanical Glide Path Preparation

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Teeth in this arm will undergo glide path preparation using rotary PathFile instruments (#13 and #16) with an engine-driven handpiece, following the manufacturer's instructions to establish the glide path up to the predetermined working length.

Procedure: Mechanical Glide Path Preparation

Interventions

Manual Glide Path Preparation PROCEDURE

Glide path is created using stainless steel K-files (size #10) with a watch-winding motion and gentle vertical filing to establish a smooth path from the canal orifice to the apex.

Manual Glide Path Preparation

Mechanical Glide Path Preparation PROCEDURE

Glide path is created using rotary PathFile instruments (#13 and #16) with an engine-driven handpiece, following manufacturer instructions to establish a smooth path from the canal orifice to the apex.

Mechanical Glide Path Preparation

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Extracted permanent single-rooted teeth. Teeth with fully formed mature apices. Teeth with intact roots and no structural defects. Root canals with curvature less than 15 degrees. Teeth with patent canals allowing negotiation with a size #10 K-file.

You may not qualify if:

• Teeth with caries, fractures, cracks, or root defects. Teeth with previous endodontic treatment. Teeth showing root resorption or calcified canals. Teeth with unusual root canal anatomy or multiple canals. Teeth with severe canal curvature greater than 15 degrees. Teeth with immature apices or open apices.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences: lead

Study Officials

• Aleena Malik, BDS

  Pakistan

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Alina Malik

  School Of Dentistry,Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University,Islamabad

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Alina Malik, BDS

CONTACT

+923049579435; alinamalik32198@gmail.com

Alina Malik, BDS

CONTACT

alinamalik32198@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER GOV
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Comparison of Working Length Accuracy Following Manual and Mechanical Glide Path Preparation: An In Vitro Study.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 21, 2026
• First Posted: May 28, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): October 4, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 10, 2026
• Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-07

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share