The purpose of this study was to evaluate canal shaping ability after canal preparation by using engine-driven nickel-titanium file and endosonic file in curved canals. 30 mesiobuccal canals of molars extracted within recent 3 months were divided into 3 groups. Group I and group II were prepared by using engine-driven nickel-titanium Gates-Glidden drill type and the engine-driven nickel-titanium file type. Group III prepared by using en do sonic file. The image of preinstrumented canals was taken by X-ray. The image of postinstrumented canal was taken by X-ray in the same condition of preinstrumentation. A magnified X-ray image on magnifier screen was traced and then compared the preinstrumentated canal image with the postinstrumentated canal image by superimposing method. The following results were obtained : 1. In the change of canal curvature, the engine-driven nickel-titanium Gates-Glidden drill type showed the least change and the ultrasonically filing showed the greatest change. 2. In the percentage of canal enlargement, the engine-driven nickel-titanium file type was greatest at all level(p<0.05), the apex of all group was the greatest, the difference of ultrasonically filing group showed greater between apex and cervix. 3. The percentage of canal enlargement on convex side was greater than that of on concave side in apex of each group(p<0.05). In the ultrasonically filing group, both sides of canal enlargement showed sharply difference(p<0.01). 4. The percentage of canal enlargement on convex side was greater than that of on concave side in the third of cervix of the engine-driven nickel-titanium file type and the ultrasonically filling. The percentage of canal enlargement of convex and concave side in the third of middle of the engine-driven nickel-titanium Gates-Glidden drill type show a similar canal enlargement between convex side and concave side. As above result, the engine-driven nickel-titanium file type was greater in canal enlargement than the other instruments. The engine-driven nickel-titanium Gates-Glidden dirll type was efficient endodontic instrument for curved canal preparation because it was least change in canal curvature.