Abstract:

The aim of the presented study was to compare the efficacy of three different retreatment techniques in the removal of gutta-percha and bioceramic-based sealer in the different parts of the root canal. Extracted human single rooted teeth (n=66) were used. Teeth were divided into six groups: Gr1 – retreated using ProTaper Universal Retreatment files after filling with central cone technique; Gr2 –ProTaper Universal Retreatment files after cold lateral compaction technique; Gr3 – hand instruments after central cone filling technique; Gr4 – hand instruments after cold lateral compaction technique; Gr5 – ultrasonic tips after central cone technique; Gr6 – ultrasonic tips after cold lateral condensation. Residual filling material was evaluated using computed tomography and microscope observation. Best removal of filling material was achieved in the middle part or the root canal and worse in the coronal. When central cone technique was used, best cleaning was observed with hand instruments in the coronal and middle part and with ultrasound in the apical part. There was no statistically significant difference in the coronal and middle third of the canal when lateral compaction technique was used, the ultrasound performed best in the apical part.