ProTaper Retreatment system versus balanced force technique for apical extrusion and gutta-percha removal

Abstract

Aim: The aim was to compare root canal wall cleanliness, amounts ofapically extruded debris and irrigant during retreatment using theProTaper Universal Retreatment (PT) system or balanced force technique(BFT).Methodology: Root canals of extracted mandibular premolar teeth(n=44) were endodontically prepared and obturated, then the teeth weredivided into two groups: BFT and PT. Apically extruded material wascollected into preweighed Eppendorf tubes using the Myers andMontgomery method. The root halves were photographed under astereomicroscope. Area of the remnant filling material (coronal, middle,apical thirds and total canal surface) was measured by software. Data wereanalyzed by Mann-Whitney U test.Results: The BFT and PT system provided similar degrees of canal wallcleanliness (p>0.05) and amounts of extruded irrigant (p>0.05). The PTsystem caused less debris extrusion (p