Comparison of Apically Extruded Debris during Retreatment Procedure by Two Types of Endodontic Instruments

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Abstract Introduction: During root canal treatment, canal debris is inadvertently extruded through the apex during shaping and cleaning. This happens not only during the routine endodontic cases, but also during the retreatment cases. Objective: This study analyzed in vitro the amount of debris extruded through the foramen using two instrumentation techniques during endodontic retreatment. Materials and methods: Sixty roots of mandibular first premolars were selected, instrumented with anatomical diameter up to size number 40 International Organization for Standardization (ISO) file, and then obturated with gutta-percha and zinc-oxide eugenol sealer by lateral condensation. They were then divided into two groups of 30 each. The first group was instrumented with ISO K-files for gutta-percha removal and the second group was instrumented with Protaper retreatment files and gutta-percha was removed. All teeth were irrigated with distilled water. The debris extruded through the foramen were collected and weighed by an analytical balance. Results: Group II had the lowest average for material extrusion through the foramen followed by group I. When Tukey test for statistical analysis was applied, significant differences among groups were found (p = 0.02). Conclusion: It can be concluded that Protaper retreatment files produce significantly less debris as compared with K-files.