Factors affecting temperature rise on the external root surface during ultrasonic retrieval of intracanal separated files.

Temperature rise (TR) on the external root surface during ultrasonic removal of separated files (SFs) from 50 lower incisors roots of 10-mm length was investigated. CPR ultrasonic tips (Obtura-Spartan, Fenton, MO) were used dry to retrieve F2 ProTaper (Dentsply, Surrey, UK) segments fractured 2.5 mm from the coronal access in five groups: CPR2, CPR5, and CPR6 at power setting 1 and CPR5 at power settings 2.5 and 5. Temperature changes were inspected at 30-second intervals up to 120 seconds at three different sites: two at mesiodistal and buccolingual surfaces adjacent to the most coronal aspect of the SF and the third adjacent to the most apical aspect. Overall, the highest mean TR was at the buccolingual root surface followed by that at the mesiodistal and the more apical site surfaces. At power setting 1, CPR6 produced a significantly lower TR than CPR5, and both can be used for 120 and 60 seconds, respectively. Power setting 5 is not recommended for the removal of SF because this induces a hazardous TR.