Evaluation of 3 distinct file systems in root canal retreatment: A retrospective cohort study

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 2 retreatment file systems, ROTATE Retreatment (RR) and Re-Treaty, in comparison with the general system (M3) for root canal retreatment. A retrospective controlled study was conducted involving 81 patients who underwent root canal retreatment using the M3, RR, or Re-Treaty systems. The operation times were recorded and analyzed. Pain intensity was assessed using the visual analog scale at 4 time points: preoperation (T0), 1 day postoperatively (T1), 7 days postoperatively (T2), and 3 months postoperatively (T3). Radiographic data were collected at T0 and T3, and lesion diameter and density were evaluated by 2 independent researchers. The final clinical outcomes were assessed at 1-year follow-up (T4). Compared to the Re-Treaty and M3 systems, the RR system significantly reduced operative time (P < .05). Success rates were high across all groups (M3, 88.9%; RR, 100%; Re-Treaty, 92.6%), with no statistically significant differences. RR has shorter operative time (13.15 ± 2.5 minutes/ canal) compared to M3 (15.93 ± 4.03 minutes/ canal) and Re-Treaty (15.04 ± 3.5 minutes/ canal) (P < .05). All systems effectively reduced patient pain in both the short- and long-term and promoted radiographic healing. The differences between the file systems were not statistically significant (P = .086). All 3 endodontic file systems achieved optimal retreatment outcomes and exhibited similar prognoses. The RR system had the shortest operative time.