Shaheen Mohammad Ali 1 , Pradeep P. S 2 , Sam Paul 3 , Dexton Antony Jhons 4 , Ganesh Prasad B
ABSTRACT: AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the time taken of gutta-percha removal using protaper universal retreatment system (PTUS) and R Endo with Hedstrom files. METHODS AND MATERIAL: 45 mandibular premolars with one single straight canals were instrumented with k files and filled using cold lateral compaction and sealer. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 15 specimens each. After re-preparation with Gates Glidden drills and the test instruments, the specimens were cleared. The area of remaining guttapercha was measured using image analysis software. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: It was performed by means of the One-way Anova test to compare the mean values. Since there was a significance difference between mean values, Bonferroni multiple comparisons were made. Level of significance was set at P <0.05. RESULTS: The R Endo group showed significantly less obturating material than PTUS and Hedstrom files. PTUS and R Endo files required less time for gutta-percha removal. CONCLUSION: R Endo files were found to be more effective, both R Endo and PTUS took less time
