Efficacy of XP-endo instruments in removing 54 month-aged root canal filling material from mandibular molars

In vitro study of essential oils efficacy as alternative solvents in endodontic retreatment

“…[4,17,18,19]. The challenge is also presented by various sealers on the market, as well as the age of filling, which can significantly affect and change the characteristics of sealers and gutta-percha [1]. Also, different brands of gutta-percha with variations in composition (resin, wax) can affect their solubility [7].…”

“…Although there is no international standard for the solubility of root canal sealers in organic solvents, ISO 6876: 2012 (Dental root canal sealing materials) describes a procedure that is simple, easily reproducible and economical for solubility testing [26]. Many studies indicate that it is very difficult to completely remove the filling from the main canal, and especially from ramifications [1,27]. The duration of action of the solvent on the tested sealers in our study was 10 min, based on the collected data on the time required for retreatment of 1.5 to 10.8 min [27].…”

“…Crozeta et al pointed out that the application of ultrasound after establishing patency with hand instruments through endodontic filling was more efficient in removing residual material on the walls and removed it by about 18% more, compared to the GentleWave system that removed about 10% of residual material [31]. XP endo instruments were more effective in removing fillings in the mesial canals of mandibular molars than in distal ones that are oval and present a special problem and challenge for cleaning [1]. Also, the use of an adequate solvent for gutta-percha and siler can significantly reduce the amount of apically extruded debris [32].…”

“…In these cases endodontic retreatment is necessary. The position of the European Association of Endodontics is that postoperative monitoring of treated teeth is necessary for at least one year, and at least four years, if there was also apical periodontitis present [1]. The most common cause of primary endodontic treatment failure is insufficiently prepared and obturated root canals, insufficient hermetic sealing of the endodontic space, which allows the growth and development of residual microorganisms, especially in dentinal tubules, ramifications and accessory canals [2].…”

“…In the XXI century development of rotary instruments for dental canal instrumentation, many NiTi instrument systems (EndoSequence rotary file, Pro Taper Universal D1-D3) have appeared, which were designed exclusively for the purpose of retreatment [1,14]. Although they have proven to be extremely successful and convenient to use, their role is still secondary to hand instruments, as most of them involve establishing working length with hand instruments [15,16].…”