Comparison of the efficacy of three different techniques in the removal of gutta-percha and two types of sealers during endodontic retreatment

Abstract EN

Background : root canal retreatment is a common practice to preserve the teeth.

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of ProTaper rotary re-treatment files, D-RaCe rotary desobturation files and gates glidden drills in combination with hedstrom files for removal of gutta-percha and sealer from root canals.

Materials and methods : palatal roots of sixty extracted maxillary first molars were instrumented with ProTaper rotary files to size F2, then samples were randomly divided into two main groups (30 specimens each) according to the sealer used (Apexit Plus for group A and TubliSeal sealer for group B).

The teeth were obturated with lateral compaction of Gutta-Percha points and placed in incubator for a period of one week.

After that each group was subdivided into three subgroups (10 samples each) according to the removal techniques.

After removal of the root filling material the roots were sectioned longitudinally.

The percentage of root filling material area remained and times for all of the samples were calculated.

Data were analyzed statistically by ANOVA and Student t-test at 5% significant level.

Results : the results showed that all retreatment techniques left filling material inside the canal, The mean percentage of remaining root filling material areas with Ca(OH)2 based sealer groups were less than ZOE-based sealer groups.

Gutta-Percha removal with D-RaCe rotary desobturation files was better than other techniques.

The time of removal with D-RaCe rotary desobturation files was significantly faster than other techniques.

Conclusion : in conclusion, complete removal of gutta-percha cannot be achieved with any of the techniques used.

D-RaCe desobturation system for re-treatment is more effective and faster in removing Gutta-Percha than other techniques.