Quantitative analysis of apically extruded bacteria following preparation of curved canals with three systems

This study compared the amount of apically extruded bacteria following preparation of curved root canals using two continuously rotating multifile and one reciprocating single-file systems. Mesiobuccal canals from maxillary molars were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis and divided into three groups according to the instrumentation system: Reciproc (R25 instrument, 25/.08), BT-RaCe (10/.06, 35/.00 and 35/.04), and Mtwo (25/.06, 30/.05 and 35/.04). Apically extruded material was collected by a customized apparatus with 1.5% agarose gel covering the root apex to simulate the periradicular tissues. The extruded material was extracted from the gel and subjected to bacteriological culture for bacterial quantification. The three systems showed a high frequency of bacterial extrusion (>70%). There were no statistically significant differences in the counts of extruded bacteria between groups (P > 0.05). The incidence and amount of apical bacterial extrusion were similar between the three systems. The customized apparatus was effective in collecting apically extruded bacteria.