Abstract
Background: This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sonic agitation of a binary mixture of solvents (methyl ethyl ketone/tetrachloroethylene) on filling remnants removal and compare the effects of solvent agitation with the enlargement to the next instrument size. Methods: Twenty-four mandibular incisors were prepared with ProTaper Next (X1, X2) and obturated with the single-cone technique and AH Plus sealer. The teeth were retreated with ProTaper Universal Retreatment and ProTaper Next and divided into two groups (n = 12) according to the final instrument (X3 or X4). All canals were submitted to a supplementary procedure consisting of a mixture of solvents―methyl ethyl ketone/tetrachloroethylene, agitated with EndoActivator. The volume of filling remnants was assessed through micro-computed tomography in the apical 5 mm. Statistical analysis was performed with a significance level of 5%. Results: The supplementary procedure of agitation of the solvent mixture was beneficial in both groups (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between canals re-prepared until X4 and canals re-prepared until X3 plus solvent (p > 0.05). Conclusions: An additional step with a two-solvent solution potentiated by EndoActivator showed to be very effective for the removal of gutta-percha and resinous sealer remnants from apical root canals of mandibular incisors, avoiding further enlargement.
Highlights
Non-surgical endodontic retreatment is challenging and, there have been advancements in instrumentation technology, the predictability of filling material removal is still low
The samples were scanned at three moments: After root canal filling, after conventional retreatment/re-preparation, and after the supplementary procedure, using a high-resolution micro-CT (Skyscan 1272, Bruker, Kontich, Belgium)
The present investigation aimed to study the effectiveness of the sonic agitation of a mixture of solvents on the volume of filling material remnants in mandibular incisors, and to assess if it would compare to progressive apical enlargement
Summary
Non-surgical endodontic retreatment is challenging and, there have been advancements in instrumentation technology, the predictability of filling material removal is still low. Using a larger preparation size would be expected to result in fewer unprepared areas and, a higher volume of old filling material removal, optimizing disinfection [7,10,11,12,13]. This work aimed to evaluate the efficacy of sonic agitation of a binary mixture of solvents (methyl ethyl ketone/tetrachloroethylene) on filling remnants removal and compare the effects of solvent agitation with the enlargement to the instrument size. All canals were submitted to a supplementary procedure consisting of a mixture of solvents—methyl ethyl ketone/tetrachloroethylene, agitated with EndoActivator. Conclusions: An additional step with a two-solvent solution potentiated by EndoActivator showed to be very effective for the removal of gutta-percha and resinous sealer remnants from apical root canals of mandibular incisors, avoiding further enlargement
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