Efficacy of Twisted File Adaptive, Reciproc and ProTaper Universal Retreatment instruments for root-canal-filling removal: A cone-beam computed tomography study

In vitro evaluation of filling material removal and apical debris extrusion after retreatment using Reciproc blue, Hyflex EDM and ProTaper retreatment files

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the amount of remaining filing material and apical debris extrusion after retreatment using Reciproc Blue, Hyflex EDM and ProTaper Retreatment Files.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six extracted permanent mandibular first molars with moderately curved mesial roots were selected. Mesiobuccal canals were prepared using the ProTaper Next system up to size X2 and filled using gutta-percha and Adseal sealer via cold lateral compaction. Teeth were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 12): Group 1: Reciproc Blue (RB)(VDW, Germany), Group 2: Hyflex EDM (HEDM)(Coltene/Whaledent, Switzerland), Group 3: ProTaper Universal Retreatment file system + ProTaper Next file system (PTUR + PTN)( Dentsply Maillefer, Switzerland). Eppendorf tubes were used to collect the apically extruded debris. Cone-beam computed tomographic scans were taken prior to and after retreatment and the volume of remaining filling material was assessed at the coronal, middle and apical levels. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Friedman's test and Wilcoxon Sign Rank test. Significance level was set at p value 0.05.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences among the three groups in the reduction of the volume of the filling material or in the amount of apically extruded debris.

CONCLUSION

All the tested filing systems showed similar efficacy in removing the filling material, however, none of them could achieve its complete removal. Apical extrusion of debris occurred with all the systems used with no significant difference between the three groups.

Fracture incidence of Reciproc instruments during root canal retreatment performed by postgraduate students: a cross-sectional retrospective clinical study

Objectives

To evaluate the fracture incidence of Reciproc R25 instruments (VDW) used during non-surgical root canal retreatments performed by students in a postgraduate endodontic program.

Materials and Methods

From the analysis of clinical record cards and periapical radiographs of root canal retreatments performed by postgraduate students using the Reciproc R25, a total of 1,016 teeth (2,544 root canals) were selected. The instruments were discarded after a single use. The general incidence of instrument fractures and its frequency was analyzed considering the group of teeth and the root thirds where the fractures occurred. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ² test (p < 0.01).

Results

Seven instruments were separated during the procedures. The percentage of fracture in relation to the number of instrumented canals was 0.27% and 0.68% in relation to the number of instrumented teeth. Four fractures occurred in maxillary molars, 1 in a mandibular molar, 1 in a mandibular premolar and 1 in a maxillary incisor. A greater number of fractures was observed in molars when compared with the number of fractures observed in the other dental groups (p < 0.01). Considering all of the instrument fractures, 71.43% were located in the apical third and 28.57% in the middle third (p < 0.01). One instrument fragment was removed, one bypassed, while in 5 cases, the instrument fragment remained inside the root canal.

Conclusions

The use of Reciproc R25 instruments in root canal retreatments carried out by postgraduate students was associated with a low incidence of fractures.

Critical analysis of research methods and experimental models to study removal of root filling materials

Despite enjoying high favourable outcome rates, root canal treatment is not always successful. Root canal retreatment is a widely practised option for managing a non-healing root treated tooth. A basic distinction between retreatment and initial treatment is the requirement to remove the existing root filling material occupying the root canal space. Only then, can the technical deficiencies and possible causes of failure be addressed. Hence, the successful removal of the root filling material is critical to achieving the objectives of retreatment. Many different materials and techniques have been used for root canal filling, which have been documented in a plethora of studies; these are mainly laboratory studies investigating the removal of root filling materials. To help guide future research, which may then better inform clinical practice in relation to retreatment procedures, the focus of this narrative review is on the research methods and experimental models employed to study the removal of root filling materials. The current available literature demonstrates great variation in the research methodologies used to study the removal of root filling material, including direct visualization by splitting tooth samples or clearing, three-dimensional radiographic imaging including using microcomputed tomography or cone-beam computed tomography, and a combination of these techniques. Depending on the research method employed, variation also exists in quantification of root filling material removal; these include measurements of surface area, volume or weight, and criteria-based (semi-quantitative) assessment. Experimental models, using human teeth or resin models, differ with respect to standardization techniques and replication of the clinical scenario including initial sample preparation, canal filling, allocation and technical aspects of retreatment procedures. Future models should replicate, as closely as possible, the clinical scenario. Currently, microcomputed tomography provides a highly detailed, non-invasive and non-destructive method of objectively assessing and quantifying root filling removal.

Impact of root canal curvature and instrument type on the amount of extruded debris during retreatment

Objectives

The aim of the current study was to assess whether the amount of extruded debris differs for straight and severely curved root canals during retreatment using H-files, R-Endo, Reciproc and ProTaper Universal Retreatment (PTU-R) files. Additionally, the area of residual filling material was evaluated.

Materials and Methods

Severely curved (n = 104) and straight (n = 104) root canals of maxillary molar teeth were prepared with WaveOne Primary file and obturated with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. Root canal filling materials were removed with one of the preparation techniques: group 1: H-file; group 2: R-Endo; group 3: Reciproc; group 4: PTU-R (n = 26). The amount of extruded material and the area of the residual filling material was measured. The data were analyzed with 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and 1-way ANOVA at the 0.05 significance level.

Results

Except for Reciproc group (p > 0.05), PTU-R, R-Endo, and H-file systems extruded significantly more debris in severely curved canals (p < 0.05). Each file system caused more residual filling material in severely curved canals than in straight ones (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

All instruments used in this study caused apical debris extrusion. Root canal curvature had an effect on extruded debris, except for Reciproc system. Clinicians should be aware that the difficult morphology of the severely curved root canals is a factor increasing the amount of extruded debris during the retreatment procedure.

Evaluation of Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation and GentleWave System as Adjuvants in Endodontic Retreatment

INTRODUCTION

Nonsurgical endodontic retreatment continues to be a challenge in endodontics, particularly when dealing with a complex tooth anatomy. This study evaluated the efficacy of passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and the GentleWave system as supplementary techniques to remove remaining filling materials from oval-shaped root canals.

METHODS

Twenty distal roots of human mandibular molars with single and oval-shaped canals were shaped with R40 (40.06) instrument and filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer using warm vertical obturation. Initial filling material removal was performed with R50 (50.05) instrument, followed by the use of PUI (n = 10) or GentleWave system (n = 10). Micro-computed tomographic images were obtained after obturation, initial material removal, and after the use of PUI and GentleWave. The volume of remaining filling material was calculated for the entire canal as well as for the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. Statistical analyses were performed by using analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. P ≤ .05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The use of PUI and GentleWave as supplementary techniques significantly reduced the volume of remaining filling material after initial instrumentation (P < .05). However, none of these techniques was able to render canals free from filling materials. PUI showed better performance by removing 18% of the remaining filling material, whereas the GentleWave system was able to remove approximately 10% (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of supplementary techniques optimized filling material removal after initial instrumentation. PUI enhanced the overall cleaning of the root canal system during endodontic retreatment in oval-shaped canals.

Retreatability of BC Sealer and AH Plus root canal sealers using new supplementary instrumentation protocol during non-surgical endodontic retreatment

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of supplementary techniques (ultrasonic tip/XP-endo Finisher R) in removing remaining filling materials (gutta-percha/AHPlus/BCSealer) from oval-shaped root canals during non-surgical endodontic retreatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-eight distal roots of human mandibular molars with single and oval-shaped canals were initially shaped with a R40 instrument and filled with gutta-percha points and AH Plus (n = 14) or BC Sealer (n = 14) followed by an initial micro-CT scanning. Initial filling material removal was performed in all 28 samples with an R50 instrument, and all samples submitted to a second micro-CT. Supplementary techniques with ultrasonic tips or XP-endo Finisher R instruments were performed in each sealer group, and all samples submitted to a third micro-CT. The volume of remaining filling material was calculated for the entire canal as well as for the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. Statistical analyses were performed using T, ANOVA 3-way, and Tukey tests.

RESULTS

Lower values of remnant filling material were found for BC Sealer (16.06 ± 14.34) compared to AH Plus (28.30 ± 10.54) (P < 0.001), and considering the supplementary technique, lower values of remnant filling material were found for the ultrasonic tip (18.95 ± 11.05) compared to XP-endo Finisher R (25.41 ± 15.81) (P = 0.025). Ultrasonic instruments significantly reduced the percentage of remaining filling material for both AH Plus (P = 0.04) and BC Sealer (P = 0.02) while XP-endo Finisher R was effective for AHPlus only (P = 0.04). The remaining filling material was observed in all samples regardless the filling material or the supplementary technique employed.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementary techniques increased filling material removal; however, none of them was able to render root canals completely free from root fillings. Ultrasonic tips should be considered a good option for endodontic retreatment, especially for bioceramic cases.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Supplementary instrumentation techniques are effective tools to reduce the amount of filling materials during root canal retreatment.

Effect of Aging on Dentinal Crack Formation after Treatment and Retreatment Procedures: a Micro-CT Study

Abstract In order to evaluate the volume of dentinal cracks taking into account the age of the dentin and the type of file system used for endodontic procedures, forty freshly extracted single-rooted lower incisive teeth presenting similar root volume, were divided into two groups according to the age of the patient: Group Young (18 - 30 years old) and Group Old (60 years old or more). Each specimen was scanned by microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) in three stages: (i) before any treatment, (ii) after endodontic treatment with Reciproc files (REC), and (iii) after subsequent endodontic retreatment. Each group was subdivided into two subgroups, according to the retreatment technique used: retreatment with REC or with ProTaper Universal Retreatment (PUR) files. For each subgroup, the images were analyzed for differences in the volume of dentinal cracks in the middle and apical thirds of the teeth , according to the dentin age. In both stages (before and after instrumentation), the micro-CT images of the old root dentin presented with higher volume of cracks than those of the young root dentin, statistical significance notwithstanding (p>0.01). The use of REC files appeared to have no statistically significant differences in the generation of cracks in any type of root dentin when compared with PUR files (p>0.01). When retreated with PUR, the old root dentin presented with a significantly higher volume of cracks (p<0.01) when compared with the old root dentin initially.