Comparative Evaluation of Effectiveness of Rotary and Hand File Systems in Terms of Quality of Obturation and Instrumentation Time among Primary Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to answer the following focused question: Are rotary file systems more effective than hand file systems in terms of the quality of obturation and instrumentation time among primary teeth? The inclusion criteria comprised studies that compared the effect on quality of obturation and instrumentation time among primary teeth after using rotary and hand file systems for biomechanical preparation of the root canals. This review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The searched databases included Medline ( PubMed), EBSCO, and Google Scholar. Articles published from January 2000 to December 2021, but only in English, were included. The search resulted in 8,003 published studies. After the removal of duplicate studies and full-text analysis, 9 studies were selected for systematic review, and 8 were selected for meta-analysis. Overall, the results demonstrated the promising effects of rotary file systems in reducing instrumentation time and improving obturation quality compared to hand files. Within the limitations of this review, it can be asserted that rotary file systems are superior to hand files in primary teeth for pulpectomy procedures. Rotary files, a more recent technique, are more efficient than traditional hand files in lowering the time required for instrumentation. Additionally, they provide superior obturation quality in primary molars, making them particularly beneficial for pediatric patients. Gala UP, Kalaskar R, Vinay V, Comparative Evaluation of Effectiveness of Rotary and Hand File Systems in Terms of Quality of Obturation and Instrumentation Time among Primary Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(8):962-969.