SynthesisInternational endodontic journal2026
Influence of Engine-Driven NiTi Files on the Effectiveness and Technical Quality of Endodontic Treatment Performed by Undergraduate Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Synthesis in International endodontic journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Influence of Engine-Driven NiTi Files on the Effectiveness and Technical Quality of Endodontic Treatment Performed by Undergraduate Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.International endodontic journal · 2026Pooled it
- Comment on 'Influence of Engine-Driven NiTi Files on the Effectiveness and Technical Quality of Endodontic Treatment Performed by Undergraduate Students: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis'.International endodontic journal · 2026Article
- Clarifying Methodological and Educational Implications of Engine-Driven NiTi Instrumentation in Undergraduate Endodontic Training: A Response to Correspondence.International endodontic journal · 2026Article
- Management of Ledge Formation and Perforations in Endodontics: A Survey of Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, and Perceptions Among General Dental Practitioners and Endodontists.Journal of clinical and experimental dentistry · 2026Review
- Cyclic Fatigue of Rotary Versus Reciprocating Endodontic Files: An In Vitro Study of Engine-Driven Endodontic Files.Dentistry journal · 2026Article
- Influence of Dual Heat Treatment on the Metallurgy and Mechanical Behaviour of Diamond-Like Carbon-Coated NiTi Rotary Systems: A Multimethod Investigation.International endodontic journal · 2026Article
- NiTi instruments in endodontics: contemporary concepts, principles, and practical guidance.Brazilian oral research · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundIn recent years, many universities have incorporated engine-driven nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments into their undergraduate endodontic programs, aiming to enhance the efficiency and precision of root canal treatments. While these techniques might offer advantages, concerns remain regarding their implementation, particularly in ensuring adequate training and supervision to prevent potential procedural errors that could compromise treatment outcomes.
objectivesThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the quality of clinical root canal treatments performed by undergraduate students, comparing outcomes between the use of engine-driven NiTi files and stainless-steel hand files.
methodsThe search was conducted across four electronic databases up to April 2025. The selection process adhered to the Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes and Study (PICOS) criteria, including clinical studies evaluating the quality of root canal treatments performed by undergraduate students using engine-driven NiTi files versus stainless-steel hand files. Study quality was assessed using the Risk of Bias 2 (RoB-2) tool for randomised clinical studies and Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) for nonrandomized studies. Meta-analyses were performed to compare the prevalence of adequate root canal treatment quality, root canal filling quality, and procedural errors between the two techniques, using RevMan 5.3 software. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was applied to determine the overall certainty of evidence.
resultsTen studies were included, with most demonstrating a high risk of bias. Meta-analyses revealed that engine-driven NiTi root canal preparation with both rotary and reciprocating instruments resulted in significantly higher quality of root canal treatment, improving root canal filling quality, and reducing the incidence of ledge formation compared to stainless-steel hand files. However, no significant differences were found between the techniques regarding overfilling, perforations, apical transportation, or instrument separation. The certainty of evidence was rated as low.
conclusionsEngine-driven NiTi instruments improve the quality of root canal treatments performed by undergraduate students, particularly by enhancing filling quality and reducing ledge formation without increasing other iatrogenic risks. Nevertheless, these conclusions are based on evidence of low certainty.
trial registrationThis systematic review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42024600660).
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.