Comparative of Techiniques to Removal of Root Fillings Through Tomography

Objectives:The purpose of this in vitro study is to evaluate the efficiency of the continuous (ProFile .04) and alternating (Endo Gripper) rotary techniques for the removal of the filling material from root canals (RC). Methods:Forty mesial roots of first mandibular molars were selected. After the crown and the distal root section, removal and odontometry of the RC were performed. The teeth were split into two groups (G): G1 - prepared with Endo Gripper and G2 – with Profile System, both coupled to (or at) the electric engine. The RC were obturated by the lateral condenser technique. After ageing the filling material for four months, the specimens were evaluated through computed tomography (CT). The total volume of the filling material in all extension of the RC was calculated. The G1 teeth obturations were removed with Endo Gripper and the G2 teeth, with profile.04. The specimens were again submitted to three-dimensional CT evaluation, for the measurement of the average percentage of residual RC filling material.Results:Through t-test, with p = 0,049, it was verified that the average percentage of the residual filling material in the continuous rotary technique (p=0,40,55) was significantly higher compared with the alternate rotary.Conclusions:It was concluded that none of the techniques removed completely the filling material inside the RC; the alternate rotary system (Endo Gripper) removed a larger amount of the filling material compared to the continuous rotary system (ProFile.04); the CT is an important tool for the quantification of the residual filling material after the filling material removal.