ProTaper retreatment system versus balanced force technique for apical extrusion and gutta-percha removal

Abstract

Introduction: The aim was to compare root canal wall cleanliness, amounts of apically extruded debris and irrigant during retreatment using the ProTaper Universal Retreatment (PT) system or balanced force technique (BFT).
 Materials and Methods: Root canals of extracted mandibular premolar teeth (n=44) were endodontically prepared and obturated, then the teeth were divided into two groups: BFT and PT. Apically extruded material was collected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes using the Myers and Montgomery method. The root halves were photographed under a stereomicroscope. Area of the remnant filling material (coronal, middle, apical thirds and total canal surface) was measured by software. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.
 Results: The BFT and PT system provided similar degrees of canal wall cleanliness (p > 0.05) and amounts of extruded irrigant (p>0.05). The PT system caused less debris extrusion (p<0.05).
 Conclusions: Although the BFT was shown to cause less apical extrusion in primary root canal treatment compared to other manual instrumentation techniques, in the present study, BFT caused more debris extrusion than the PT group.
 
 How to cite this article: Sarıçam E, Altunkaynak B, Kayaoğlu G. ProTaper Retreatment system versus balanced force technique for apical extrusion and gutta-percha removal. Int Dent Res 2019;9(2):63-8.
 
 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.