Comparative assessment of manual, rotary and reciprocating instruments for removal of root fillings, using stereomicroscope: An in vitro study

Background: To investigate the efficiency of Hedstrom (H; Dentsply Maillefer) file, Protaper Universal Retreatment system (PTUR; Dentsply Maillefer), Mani NRT-GPR files (Mani, Japan) and WaveOne (WO; Dentsply Maillefer) Reciprocating files in removing Gutta Percha (GP) and sealer from root canals. Methods: Sixty canals with less than 10° curvature from extracted human maxillary incisors were used. Root canal reinstrumentation was performed with H, PTUR, Mani NRT-GPR and WO files. Amount of residual root filling material (Gutta-percha and or sealer) were measured by using stereomicroscope. Data of GP or sealer remnants were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey test. Results: There were no significant differences among 4 groups in terms of residual root filling material in the apical third (p > 0.05). H-file group showed highest amount of root residual root filling as compared to groups. Conclusions: Reciprocating file system proved to be more efficient in removing the root canal fillings material than other retreatment file systems. H file group showed highest amount of root canal filling material. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2019; 45: 54-61