Summary
When primary endodontic treatment fails, the treatment alternatives for root preservation are orthograde retreatment or apical surgery. Whenever possible, orthograde retreatment must be the first option. Different rotary systems have been proposed as an alternative to manual instrumentation for the removal of gutta-percha. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and efficiency of the total removal of gutta-percha from root canals, using two types of rotary instruments: Protaper Universal Files® and Protaper Retreatment Files®, compared to manual K type Files. A total of forty-five canals were instrumented with Mtwo files® up to a 25.06 file and the shaping was completed with a 40 K-type File and irrigated with 2.5 % Sodium Hypochlorite between each instrument. The teeth were obturated with Lateral Condensation Technique, using gutta-percha and Tubliseal® sealer. Samples were divided in groups A, B and C, 15 canals each, and gutta-percha was removed using the following protocols: group A with Protaper Universal; Group B using Protaper Retreatment and Group C using K type Files. Each procedure was timed and at the end of it, two periapical radiographs were taken: one buccolingual and one mesiodistal, in order to quantify the amount of gutta-percha removed. The results analysis show that there is no significant difference in the amount of gutta-percha removed between the three groups (p= 0.271) but that the time invested to perform the removal of the gutta-percha was significantly less between for the rotary systems, when compared to manual instrumentation (p <0.05). Under the conditions of this study, no system was able to remove all gutta percha inside the root canal.
KEY WORDS: endodontic retreatment, K-type files, Protaper Universal Files, Protaper Retreatment Files.
How to cite this article
MONARDES, H.; LARA, G.; QUIROGA, J.; DEL POZO, J. & ABARCA, J. Efficiency of three different techniques in the removal of gutta-percha. Int. J. Odontostomat., 10(2):343-348, 2016.
