Quantitative Evaluation of Debris Extruded Apically by Using ProTaper Universal Tulsa Rotary System in Endodontic Retreatment

This study evaluated the amount of apical debris during endodontic retreatment by using the ProTaper Universal Tulsa rotary files. Forty-five extracted human anterior teeth were root filled before randomly assigned to 3 groups. In group A, gutta-percha was removed by using the ProTaper Universal Tulsa retreatment system, and canals were re-prepared with ProTaper rotary files. In group B, gutta-percha was removed by using Hedström files with chloroform, and canals were reshaped with ProTaper rotary files. In group C, the same method as that in group B was used for gutta-percha removal, and canals were reshaped with K-flex files. Apical debris was collected and compared among 3 groups. Although all retreatment techniques resulted in apical extrusion, the ProTaper Universal Tulsa rotary technique in group A produced significantly less amount of apical extrusion than other 2 methods (P < .001). The ProTaper Universal Tulsa rotary technique proves to be a viable alternative method in endodontic retreatment.