Comparison of Hedstrom and Protaper Universal Retreatment Files for Root Canal Retreatment Using Two Different Solvent

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of Hedstrom files and ProTaper Universal Retreatment files in guttapercha/sealer removal during root canal retreatment using chloroform and orange solvent.
Study Design: In-vitro Randomized Experimental Study.
Place and Duration of Study: Islamabad Dental Hospital in the department of Operative Dentistry and at the National University of Science and Technology Islamabad over a period of 8 months from 3 Jan 2022 to 31 Aug 2022.
Materials and Methods: Sixty mandibular premolars were prepared and then obturated. Specimens were randomly divided in four groups and the gutta percha was removed with Hedstorm files with chloroform (Group A), Hedstorm files with orange solvent (Group B), ProTaper Universal system with chloroform (Group C), ProTaper Universal system with orange solvent (Group D). Residual GP/sealer were outlined on digital radiographs using an AutoCAD software and recorded in millimeter square for coronal, middle and apical 1/3rd of root. Time taken for complete removal was recorded using a stop watch. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. One-way ANOVA with post-hoc analysis was used to compare the amount of residual GP/ sealer among the four groups and for the comparison of time taken to remove the root filling. Post-hoc Tukey's test was further applied for comparison amongst the groups. A p value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The mean endodontic retreatment time in groups A, B, C and D were 7.15 min, 7.44 min, 5.46 min and 5.38 min respectively. One-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis showed significant difference of group A and group B with group C and group D (p value<0.001). Comparison of the mean GP/sealer remnants using One-way ANOVA and post hoc analysis showed no significant difference between all the groups (p value=0.778).
Conclusion: ProTaper Universal retreatment files demonstrated faster results as compared to the hand instruments (Hedstrom files) in removing GP/sealer. All the techniques left some residual GP/sealer as seen on radiographs.