The purpose of this study was to compare the histomorphological change of curved root canal preparation using GT rotary File, Profile .04 taper and stainless steel K-file. 45 mesial canals(over 20 degree) of extracted human mandibular first molars were mounted in resin using a modified Bramante muffle system and divided into three groups. The roots were cross-sectioned at 2.5mm, 5mm and 8mm levels from apical foramen. Tracings of the canals were made from preinstrumentation pictures of the cross section. The canals were prepared using a step-back technique with stainless steel K file(group 1), Profile .04 taper rotary file(group 2) and GT rotary file(group 3). Tracings of the prepared canals were made from postinstrumentation picture. Canal centring ratio, amount of transportation, area of dentin removed and shape of canal were measured and statistically were evaluated with Student-Newman-Keuls test using Sigma Stat(Jandel Scientific Software, USA).

The results were as followings:

1. Amount of transportation of group 2 was the lowest at apical part, but there was no statistical difference. The direction of transportation was the outside of curvature at apical part.

2. Centering ratio at the apical part of group 1 was the highest, and there was statistical differences between apical and middle part, apical and coronal part(p<0.05). Centering ratio at the middle part of group 3 was the lowest, and there was statistical difference between apical and middle part(p<0.05). Centring ratio of group 2 was the lowest at apical part, but there was no statistical difference.

3. Amount of dentin removed of group 1 was the highest at coronal, middle and apical part among three groups, and there was statistical difference(p<0.05).

4. The majority of the cross-sectioned canal shape after instrumentation were irregular at coronal, middle and apical part. But there are more number of round shaped canals at group 3 than other group.