Comparative assessment of manual, rotary and reciprocating instruments for removal of root fillings, using stereomicroscope: An in vitro study

Abstract

Background: Persistence of microorganism necessitates root canal retreatment. Retreatment requires complete removal of the root canal filling material, followed be further shaping, cleaning and reobturation. This in vitro study addressed the comparative evaluation of the efficacy of root canal filling material removal with different file systems. Objective: To investigate the efficiency of Hedstrom (H; Dentsply Maillefer) file, protaper universal retreatment system (PTUR; Dentsply Maillefer), Mani NRT-GPR files (Mani, Japan) and WaveOne (WO; Dentsply Maillefer) reciprocating files in removing Gutta Percha (GP) and sealer from root canals. Methods: Sixty canals with less than 10° curvature from extracted human maxillary incisors were used. Root canal reinstrumentation was performed with H, PTUR, Mani NRT-GPR and WO files. Amount of residual root filling material (Gutta-percha and or sealer) were measured by using stereomicroscope. Data of GP or sealer remnants were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. Results: There were no significant differences among 4 groups in terms of residual root filling material in the apical third (p > 0.05). H-file group showed highest amount of root residual root filling as compared to groups. Conclusion: Reciprocating file system proved to be more efficient in removing the root canal fillings material than other retreatment file systems. H file group showed highest amount of root canal filling material.