Comparative Analysis of Efficacy of Hand and Rotary NiTi Instruments in Gutta-percha Removal in Root Canal Retreatment: An in vitro study

Abstract

AbstractTo evaluate the efficacy and cleaning ability of two different rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments and hand instruments with and without solvent (Endosolv R) in the removal of gutta-percha (GP) root fillings. Sixty extracted single-rooted anterior teeth were enlarged to size F3 and obturated with warm vertical compaction using AH Plus as the sealer. Removal of GP was performed with the following devices and techniques: Hedstrom files, ProTaper, and R-Endo files. The technique that removed GP most effectively was found using R-Endo instruments and Endosolv R, followed by R-Endo without solvent, followed by ProTaper with solvent, ProTaper without solvent, followed by Hedstrom files with solvent, and Hedstrom files without solvent. There was no visible filling material extruded apically. They concluded that under the experimental conditions, R-Endo and ProTaper NiTi instruments proved to be efficient and time-saving devices for the removal of GP. The use of Endosolv R as a solvent shortened the time to reach the working length (WL) and to remove the GP, but this was not significant.