EFFICACY OF PROTAPER R RETREATMENT FILES IN REMOVAL OF ROOT CANAL FILLING MATERIAL OBTURATED BY THREE DIFFERENT METHODS: AN IN VITRO STEREOMICROSCOPIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

The most commonly used root canal filling material is gutta-percha,as a core material in conjunction with a sealer. There are many different root canal obturation techniques but no one technique has been identified which is clearly superior. Due to advances in technology, transition is now taking place from cold lateral compaction of gutta percha to newer warm techniques like warm vertical technique of obturation. The proper removal of root canal filling materials placed by various techniques from inadequately prepared and filled canals is the major part of most root canal retreatments. NiTi rotary files are very effective and efficient for removing gutta percha. Sixty single rooted mandibular premolar divided into 3 groups obturated by lateral compaction, continuous wave compaction and single cone obturation are retreated by ProTaper retreatment files. Root canal filling remnants on longitudinal sections of each tooth were evaluated using stereomicroscopy. Lateral compaction group showed the highest mean remaining gutta percha coated walls (51%), which was significantly higher than those in the other groups. It was be concluded that Protaper universal retreatment files produce  comparatively clean canals obturated by cold lateral obturation, although not completely clears canal of gutta percha obturated by lateral compaction, single cone or continuous wave compaction techniques.
Keywords: NiTi rotary files