Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
Pilot In Vitro Study to Assess Cleaning Ability and Effects of Different Decontamination Methods on Implant Surfaces
Published on: November 21, 2025
Effect of a Novel Bioceramic Solvent on Apical Patency during Nonsurgical Endodontic Retreatment: An Ex Vivo Study
Duska Stopar1, Janina Golob Deeb2, Caroline K Carrico3
1Division for Dental Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia.
Introduction:
Calcium silicate-based sealers (CSC) are widely used due to their favorable biological and physical properties; however, their removal during nonsurgical root canal retreatment (NSReTx) remains challenging. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel bioceramic solvent in re-establishing apical patency during NSReTx of canals obturated with CSC, comparing its performance to sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), with and without adjunctive Er:YAG laser activation.
Methods:
Forty-eight extracted single-rooted teeth were instrumented and obturated 2 mm short of the working length using gutta-percha and CSC. After 14 days, the gutta-percha was removed, and BC Sealer Solvent (Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA) or NaOCl was used, with or without Er:YAG laser activation, to re-establish apical patency. The time to achieve patency using a size 10 C-file was recorded. Differences among the 4 groups were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Results:
Apical patency was achieved in all canals except one with transportation. The median overall time was 186 seconds, ranging from 57 seconds observed with solvent to 582 seconds with NaOCl. Significant differences were found among the groups (P < .05). Post hoc analysis showed a significant difference between the solvent and NaOCl with the Laser groups (adjusted P < .05).
Conclusions:
BC Sealer solvent demonstrated greater effectiveness and efficiency than NaOCl, with or without laser activation, in re-establishing apical patency. These findings suggest its potential to enhance the efficiency of this step during NSReTx involving CSC.
