Efficacy of Rotary and Hand Instrument in Removing Gutta-percha and Sealer from Root Canals of Endodontically Treated Teeth

Aim: One of the common dental procedures employed these days in patients with irreversible pulpitis is root canal therapy. In retreatment cases, it is necessary for complete removal of obturate gutta-percha (GP) from obturate root canal system. Various methods and techniques are available these days for this purpose. This study was aimed to assess the efficacy of D-RaCe files, ProTaper retreatment files, Mtwo retreatment files, and manual Hedstrom files (H-files) in removing filling materials from the root canals of the endodontically treated teeth.

Materials And Methods: The present study included comparative evaluation of efficacy of nickel-titanium (NiTi) retreatment instruments and H-files in removing GP and sealer from root canals. All the samples were randomly and broadly divided into four study groups based on the instrumentation technique for removing the root canal fillings. Evaluation of the results was done based on operating time and remaining root canal filling material. Stereomicroscopic evaluation of the samples was done at 8* magnification.

Results: All the results were assessed and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Least quantity of filling material was left by ProTaper retreatment files. When put together in decreasing order, the efficacy of different study groups, in terms of mean time taken for retreatment, was found to be as follows: D-RaCe > ProTaper Retreatment > Mtwo Retreatment > H-file.

Conclusion: No single technique can completely remove obturating fillings from the root canals of endodontically treated teeth. However, rotary instruments are better in comparison with hand instruments for removing the GP from obturate root canals.

Clinical Significance: ProTaper retreatment files and D-RaCe files are recommended over other instrument systems in terms of quality for managing retreatment root canal cases.