Ex vivo study of the efficacy of two irrigation systems in retreatment of root canals filled with bioceramic sealers

AIM. To evaluate the presence of residual filling material in the root canal walls after retreatment and final irrigation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). MATERIALS AND METHODS. Fifty-two mandibular oval premolars were instrumented with ProTaper Next X1–X3 and divided into 2 groups: Group BC, filled with Bio-C Sealer and Group AH, filled with AH Plus. The experimental groups were retreated with a ProTaper Next X4 file and received different irrigation protocols (n = 13): Group BC-PUI: agitation with ultrasound; Group BC-EC: agitation with Easy Clean; Group AH-PUI: agitation with ultrasound; and Group AH-EC: agitation with Easy Clean. The remaining filling material in the dentinal tubules was evaluated in scanning electron microscope images by three evaluators who scored the samples. The Kappa test was performed to check interexaminer agreement. Pearson’s chi-square test with a significance level < of 5% was performed to compare the groups. RESULTS. It was found that the BC-EC group showed better results in the apical and middle thirds. In the coronal third, the BC-PUI group also performed well. AH Plus showed the lower results in all situations. CONCLUSIONS. In the apical third, the BC-EC group showed better performance, in the middle third, the AH-PUI group had the worst performance, and in the coronal third, the BC-PUI group stood out in terms of cleaning. This manuscript provides the importance of thorough cleaning, especially in difficult areas such as the apical third, is emphasized to improve the overall outcome of treatment