Negotiating the second mesiobuccal canal: A comparison of nickel titanium files through the experience of undergraduate dental students.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the ability of undergraduate students to reach working length (WL) in second mesiobuccal root canals (MB2) of maxillary first molars (n = 210) by using Reciproc Blue without glide path preparation, and One Curve with glide path preparation. METHODS: The students (n = 105) attended theoretical and practical courses. The first group (n = 53) shaped MB2 root canals using the One Curve system and then Reciproc Blue; the second group (n = 52) shaped MB2 root canals following the reverse sequence. Participants completed a questionnaire. The chi-square and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis using significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The full WL was reached and shaping procedures were completed without complications in Reciproc Blue and One Curve groups at rates of 86.67% and 82.85%, respectively (p > 0.05). Treatment time was shorter in Reciproc Blue (p < 0.05). More (62.9%) students felt the One Curve system safer, while 61% felt the Reciproc Blue system faster. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, instrument kinematics and glide path preparation did not interfere with undergraduate students' ability to achieve the WL in MB2 root canals.