Influence of cervical preflaring on determination of apical file size in the palatal roots of maxillary molars

purpose: the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cervical preflaring in determining the initial apical file (iaf) in the palatal roots of maxillary molars, and to determine the morphologic shape of the canal 1 mm short of the apex. methods: after preparing standard access cavities the group 1 received the iaf without cervical preflaring (wcp). in groups 2 to 5, preflaring was performed with gates-glidden (gg), anatomic endodontics technology (aet), gt rotary files (gt) and la axxes (la), respectively. each canal was sized using manual k-files, starting with size 08 files, and making passive movements until the wl was reached. file sizes were increased until a binding sensation was felt at the wl. the iaf area and the area of the root canal were measured to verify the percentage occupied by the iaf inside the canal in each sample by sem. the morphologic shape of the root canal was classified as circular, oval or flattened. statistical analysis was performed by anova/tukey test (p < 0.05). results: the decreasing percentages occupied by the iaf inside the canal were: la>gt=aet>gg>wcp. the morphologic shape was predominantly oval. conclusion: the type of cervical preflaring used interferes in the determination of iaf.