Retreatability of root canals obturated using mineral trioxide aggregate-based and two resin-based sealers

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the retreatment time and the removal efficiency of different root canal sealers using WaveOne Gold reciproc file system by measuring required time. Materials and Methods: Forty-five mandibular premolars were prepared and randomly divided into three groups (n = 15). In Groups 1u3, the canals were filled with gutta-percha and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Fillapex, EndoREZ, and AH26, respectively. After 7 days, root canal filling materials (RCFM) were removed with WaveOne Gold reciproc files by measuring time. Teeth were grooved and sectioned longitudinally, then remaining RCFM was evaluated using digital camera. The images were transferred to image analysis software to measure the areas of remaining RCFM. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test (a = 0.05). Results: There was a statistically significant difference between groups according to time required for removing RCFM (P < 0.05). The time required for removing RCFM was significantly shorter in Group 1 and longer in Group 3 than the other groups (P < 0.05). In Group 1, the remaining RCFM was more than other groups at middle third (P < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference between groups at coronal and apical thirds (P > 0.05). Conclusions: None of the sealers evaluated in this study could completely be removed from the root canals. MTA-based sealer was removed faster than resin-based sealers.