OBJECTIVETo compare the shaping ability of ISO standard stainless steel K files and multi-taper ProTaper nickel-titanium files in simulated resin curved root canals. METHODS Thirty simulated resin root canals were randomly divided into three groups and prepared by stainless steel K files, hand ProTaper, rotary ProTaper, respectively. The amount of material removed from inner and outer wall and canal width after canal preparation was measured, while the canal curvature before and after canal preparation and canals aberrations were recorded.

RESULTSThe stainless steel K files removed more material than hand ProTaper and rotary ProTaper at the outer side of apex and inner side of curvature (P < 0.05). The mean degree of straightening in stainless steel K files group was significantly bigger than in ProTaper group (P < 0.05). The canals prepared by ProTaper had no evident aberration.

CONCLUSIONThe shaping ability of ProTaper is better than stainless steel K files.