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

Comparison of Working Length Accuracy Following Manual and Mechanical Glide Path Preparation: An In Vitro Study.

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.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Achievement of Working Length After Manual Versus Mechanical Glide Path
• Intervention / Treatment: Procedure: Manual Glide Path Preparation; Procedure: Mechanical Glide Path Preparation

Detailed Description

This study is an in vitro randomized controlled experimental investigation designed to evaluate and compare the accuracy of working length achievement following manual and mechanical glide path preparation techniques during root canal treatment.

A total of 60 extracted single-rooted permanent teeth with intact roots, mature apices, and minimal canal curvature (≤15°) will be selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After disinfection and sterilization, the teeth will be mounted in resin blocks to ensure stability during instrumentation. The samples will then be randomly allocated into two equal groups (n = 30 each) using a computer-generated randomization method.

Standard access cavities will be prepared for all samples. Canal patency and initial working length will be determined using an electronic apex locator and confirmed with digital periapical radiographs. Silicone stoppers will be used to standardize reference points for all measurements.

In Group 1 (manual glide path group), glide path preparation will be performed using a size #10 stainless steel K-file with a watch-winding and gentle filing motion. In Group 2 (mechanical glide path group), glide path preparation will be carried out using rotary PathFile instruments in sequence with an engine-driven handpiece, following the manufacturer's recommendations. All procedures will be performed by a single operator to eliminate operator-related variability.

After completion of glide path preparation and canal shaping, the final working length will be re-determined using the same apex locator and radiographic methods. The difference between the initial and final working lengths will be measured in millimeters for each specimen and recorded as the primary outcome variable.

Statistical analysis will be performed using SPSS software. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) will be calculated, and inferential analysis will include paired t-tests for within-group comparisons and independent t-tests for between-group comparisons, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

The results of this study are expected to provide evidence regarding which glide path preparation technique better preserves working length accuracy, thereby assisting clinicians in selecting optimal endodontic instrumentation protocols and improving treatment outcomes.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 60
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Alina Malik, BDS; Phone Number: +923049579435; Email: alinamalik32198@gmail.com
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Alina Malik, BDS; Email: alinamalik32198@gmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

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.

Exclusion Criteria:

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.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Single

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Manual Glide Path Preparation; 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; 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.
Active Comparator: Mechanical Glide Path Preparation; 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; 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.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
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

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Aleena Malik, BDS, Pakistan; Principal Investigator: Alina Malik, School Of Dentistry,Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University,Islamabad

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): June 4, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): October 10, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): November 10, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 21, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 21, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 28, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 28, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 21, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: SOD/ERB/2025/72

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No