AN IN-VITRO STEREOMICROSCOPIC COMPARISON OF PROTAPER RETREATMENT, MTWO RETREATMENT AND HEDSTROM FILES IN REMOVAL OF AN EPDXY RESIN-BASED SEALER AND MTABASED SALICYLATE RESIN SEALER DURING ENDODONTIC RETREATMENT

BACKGROUND Success of non-surgical endodontic retreatment is dependent on the effective removal of root canal filling material. Not many studies have compared the effectiveness of different file systems in removing root canal filling when obturated with different resinbased sealers. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of Protaper retreatment (PTR) files, Mtwo retreatment (MtwoR) files and Hedstrom (H) files in removal of gutta-percha and two types of resin-based sealers during endodontic retreatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS A randomised controlled trial was conducted on 90 extracted single rooted single canal human mandibular first premolars. All specimens were divided into 3 groups depending on the initial root canal preparation: Group I used hand K files, Group II used rotary Mtwo files and Group III used rotary Protaper Universal files. These 3 groups were further subdivided into 2 subgroups A and B: obturated with MTA Fillapex and AH plus sealer respectively. Each group and its subgroups were then subjected to retreatment. The remnant root filling material in each group and subgroup was measured by using stereomicroscope. Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test were used for data analysis. RESULTS PTR files were the most effective in endodontic retreatment showing significant difference as compared to MtwoR and Hand H files. Root canals obturated with MTA Fillapex sealer showed significantly less root filling remnants. CONCLUSION PTR files were more efficient in removing root canal filling material as compared to MtwoR files and Hand H files. MTA Fillapex sealer left lesser remnants than AH plus subgroup.