Do the Sealer Solvents Used Affect Apically Extruded Debris in Retreatment?

We evaluated apically extruded debris in the retreatment of root canals filled with different root canal sealers and gutta-percha using different solvents.

Ninety human mandibular central and lateral teeth were prepared using the Reciproc #25 .08 nickel-titanium system (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany) and were divided randomly into 6 groups. In groups 1, 2, and 3, root canals were filled with epoxy resin-based sealer and gutta-percha, and in groups 4, 5, and 6, root canals were filled with zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealer and gutta-percha. Each tooth was placed in a glass vial experimental apparatus. All root canal fillings were removed with the ProTaper Retreatment nickel-titanium system (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland). During the retreatment procedure, in group 1, Resosolv (Pierre Rolland, Merignac, France) was used; in group 4, Endosolv E (Septodont, Paris, France) was used; and in groups 2 and 5, Guttasolv (Septodont) was used as the solvent. In the control groups (groups 3 and 6), no solvent was used. Reciproc #40 .06 was used for the final preparation. The times required for retreatments were recorded.

The weight of the extruded debris and the time required for retreatment were decreased significantly in the groups in which a solvent that was intended specifically for the root canal sealer was used (groups 1 and 4). In the Guttasolv groups (groups 2 and 5), the amount of apically extruded debris and the time required decreased for both root canal sealers.

The amount of apically extruded debris and the duration of retreatment were reduced by the use of a solvent specific to the sealer compared with a gutta-percha solvent or no solvent.