Aim: The study's objective was to evaluate the efficiency of various irrigation activation methods for removing gutta-percha and sealer using micro-CT and SEM after retreatment with rotary files.
Methodology: 21 permanent single-rooted teeth that were extracted and had a single canal were decoronated to 16 mm length. AH Plus sealer was used for obturating root canals. Following obturation, micro-CT scanning was carried out (S1). Another micro-CT scan was performed following the elimination of the original filling material utilizing ProTaper universal retreatment files (S2). Next, each of the 21 samples was split up into three groups (n = 7). Group1: XP-Endo Finisher Group 2: Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI), Group 3: SWEEPS. Subsequent irrigation activation technique by one of each system was followed by the final Micro-CT scanning (S3). After calculating the remnant volume of the filling material, a single specimen was examined under a scanning electron microscope for every group. Utilizing the Kruskal Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests, statistical evaluation was accomplished.
Results: After analyzing the samples, S1 and S2 scanning results revealed no statistically significant differences among the three groups (p>0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference in the final volume of residual filling material (S3) between the three groups was found statistically.
Conclusion: In summary, XPF, PUI and SWEEPS techniques are just as efficient at removing remnant filling materials after conventional retreatments.