The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the hybrid instrumentation method with ProTaper and ProFile on the change of root canal area and distance from the canal to the root surface after canal shaping. The mesial canals of twenty extracted mandibular first molars having $10-20^{circ}Delta$ curvature were scanned using X-ray microcomputed tomography (XMCT)-scanner before root canals were instrumented. They were divided into four groups (n=10 canals ter group). In Group 1, root canals were instrumented by the step-back technique with stainless steel K-Flexofile after coronal flaring. The remainders were instrumented by the crown-down technique with, ProTaper system (Group 2), ProFile (Group 3) or ProTaper (Group 4). All canals were prepared up to size 25 at the end-point of preparation and scanned again. Pre- and post-operative cross-sectional images of 1, 3, 5, and 7 mm from the apical foramen were compared. For each level, change of cross-sectional canal are and distance to the nearest external root surface was calculated using Adobe Photoshop 6.0 and image software program. In the change of cross-sectional area, Group 4 was less than Group 2 at 3 mm and 5 mm level (p<0.05). In the difference of the distance from the canal to the root surface after canal shaping, Group 4 was least among the other groups at 7 mm level (p<0.05). According to the results, the methods using ProFile or K file only and the hybrid instrumentation technique using ProTaper and ProFile are more appropriate methods of canal preparation than ProTaper system for narrow of curved canals.