Efficacy of an organic solvent and ultrasound for filling material removal.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether a final rinse with Endosolv R® solvent and ultrasound resulted in cleaner root canal walls during endodontic retreatment. A total of 56 extracted premolar teeth were manually instrumented using a step-back flare technique and filled with gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer. After 9 months, the canals were retreated by removing the gutta-percha and sealer with ProTaper Universal Retreatment and rotary preparation with ProTaper Universal System up to an F5 file. As a final step, the teeth were randomly divided in 4 groups (n=14) and were subjected to passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) with either Endosolv R or distilled water. In the control groups, the irrigants were left undisturbed. Roots were cleaved and examined under scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the amount of filling remnants on the canal walls was assessed by two calibrated examiners in a blinded fashion. Data were analyzed by the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc test (α=0.05). All groups presented filling debris in the three root canal thirds after retreatment. There were no significant differences between the groups or among the root canal thirds within each group (p>0.05). PUI with Endosolv R was not effective in the removal of filling debris from root canal walls.