Comparative Evaluation of Gutta- Percha Solvents in Endodontic Retreatment – An InVitro Analysis

Objectives: To compare and evaluate various Gutta Percha solvents in endodontic retreatment. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of Gutta Percha removal with simple mechanical technique using organic versus the most commonly used chemical solvent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Gutta Percha removal in endodontic retreatment using orange oil and comparing it with current gold standard Xylene.
Methods: Freshly extracted 30 single rooted teeth were used in this study. It was divided into two groups by alternate sampling technique.
Group 1 - Orange oil - 15 teeth
Group 2 - Xylene - 15 teeth
The teeth were prepared using rotary protaper universal system and obturated by single cone technique. Two drops of solvents was placed in the canal orifice of obturated root canal and gutta percha(GP) was removed using peso reamer and manual filing with H-files. Pre and Post-Operative radiographs were taken to visualize the efficacy of gutta percha removal using different solvents.Then the samples were evaluated by histology method, by sectioning them at three levels coronal, middle and apical using hard tissue microtome.
Results: The remaining amount of GP present after using GP solvents are evaluated using Hulsman and Slotz classification. Radiographic and histological studies were done to evaluate the effectiveness of GP solvent. Statistical analysis was done using Chi-Square test and results were tabulated.
Conclusions: The results and statistical analysis showed that, Group 1 (Orange oil) removes more Gutta Percha in apical portion of the canal when comparing it with group 2(Xylene). Orange oil can be used in retreatment procedures to overcome the side effects of using Xylene. Orange oil softens Gutta Percha more comparing it with xylene.