The purpose of this study was to compare the initial apical file(IAF) first file that fits to the apex in each canal before and after early flaring to analyze if the size of file to fit to the apex would increase after flaring. Eighty anterior teeth with complete apical formation and patent foramens were selected. The samples were randomly divided into 4 groups(GG, OS, GT, PT Group) of 20 teeth each. A file was fit to the apex in each canal and that size recorded. Radicular flaring were completed using different types of instruments. After flaring a file was again fit to the apex in the same manner as before and its size recorded.

The results of this study were as follows:

1. The mean diameter of IAF before flaring(file diameters in mm×10^-2) was 19.81±8.32 before and 25.94±9.21 after(p<0.05).

2. The increase in diameter of IAF was approximately one file size for all groups.

3. Ranking of increasing diameter of IAF were GG>GT>OS>PT group. There was a statistically significant difference between before and after flaring(p<0.05).

4. Ranking of the time for flaring were GG>GT>OS>PT group. There was a statistically significant difference between GG group and other groups(p<0.05).

5. In the case without change of IAF diameter, they showed decrease in force after flaring when IAF was pulled out from root canal(p<0.05).

This study suggested that early radicular flaring increases the file size that is snug at the apex, and awareness of that difference gives the clinician a better sense of canal size. Early flaring of the canal provides better apical size information and with this awareness, a better decision can be made concerning the appropriate final diameter needed for complete apical shaping.