Evaluation of apical extrusion of debris during retreatment: R-Endo rotary instruments versus hand files

Aim: The aim of this ex vivo study was to compare the amount of debris extruded during retreatment using stainless steel hand files (Hedstroem files) and R-Endo Nickel Titanium rotary instruments. Methodology: Eighty single-rooted freshly extracted human mandibular premolars were divided into two groups consisting of 40 teeth each. Retreatment was performed with R-Endo (Micro-Mega, Besançon, France) and Hedstroem files (Dentsply, Maillefer, Ballaigeus, Switzerland). The experimental teeth were obturated with lateral condensation technique. Then, 1.5-mL Eppendorf tubes were used to collecting the material that was extruded during preparation by subtracting post-instrumentation weight from pre-instrumentation weight. Results: There were significant differences in the amount of debris extruded between the groups (p<0.001). The amount of apical extrusion in the R-Endo group was determined to be less than in the hand instrumentation group. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it might be concluded that all tested instruments resulted in apical extrusion of debris. During endodontic retreatment procedures, the hand files extruded a significantly higher amount of debris than the R-Endo.