Supplementary solvent irrigation efficacy on filling remnants removal comparing XP-endo Finisher R vs IrriSafe

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of XP-endo Finisher R and IrriSafe, with a solvent mixture of Methyl ethyl ketone/Tetrachloroethylene (MEK/TCE), in the removal of root filling residues. Twenty-four human mandibular incisors were pair-matched by micro-computed tomography according to volume and aspect ratio. After retreatment, specimens were allocated to two experimental groups (n=12), according to the supplementary instrument used. The volume of residual filling material after each irrigating step and the time for retreatment was calculated. Statistical analyses were carried out using Mann-Whitney test, with a significance level of 5%. The volume of initial root canal filling material between the groups was similar (p>0.05). With the final irrigation protocol (NaOCl and EDTA) the volume of the filling remnants decreased significantly (p<0.05) with no differences between IrriSafe or XP-endo Finisher R (p>0.05). The additional solvent mixture MEK/TCE increased the efficiency of filling materials reduction, regardless of the agitating instruments employed, IrriSafe or XP-endo Finisher R (p<0.05). There was no difference between the two groups regarding the time (p=0.149). Both supplementary instruments were effective in the reduction of filling remnants. The additional step with a solvent mixture of MEK/TCE enabled a total recovery of patency and the achievement of cleaner canals, independently of the agitation instrument.

Automated summary

This study compared the efficacy of XP-endo Finisher R and IrriSafe, with a solvent mixture of MEK/TCE, in removing root filling residues. The results showed that the final irrigation protocol with NaOCl and EDTA significantly reduced the volume of filling remnants, while the additional solvent mixture MEK/TCE increased the efficiency of reducing filling materials.