Apically extruded debris during root canal preparation using Vortex Blue, K3XF, ProTaper Next and Reciproc...

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Dental Materials Science
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Root canal preparation aims to clean and shape the root canal system.
• Apical extrusion of debris during instrumentation can lead to periapical inflammation.
• Nickel-titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments are widely used for root canal preparation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify and compare the amount of apically extruded debris produced by four different NiTi instrumentation systems.
• To evaluate the influence of instrument design on debris extrusion during root canal preparation.

Main Methods:

• Sixty human mandibular premolars were instrumented using Vortex Blue (VB), K3XF, Reciproc, or ProTaper Next (PTN) systems (n=15 per group).
• Apically extruded debris was collected, dried, and weighed.
• Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc tests.

Main Results:

• All tested NiTi systems resulted in apical extrusion of debris.
• Vortex Blue (VB) and ProTaper Next (PTN) systems produced significantly less apically extruded debris compared to K3XF and Reciproc systems (P < 0.05).
• No significant difference in debris extrusion was found between VB and PTN, nor between K3XF and Reciproc.

Conclusions:

• Apical debris extrusion is an inherent outcome of NiTi rotary instrumentation.
• Vortex Blue and ProTaper Next systems demonstrate a favorable profile regarding reduced apical debris extrusion.
• Instrument selection may influence the amount of extruded debris, potentially impacting clinical outcomes.