Efficacy of finisher files in the removal of calcium hydroxide paste from the root canal system – preliminary results

. Successful endodontic treatment is affected by a number of factors associated with the disinfection and filling of the root canal. The chemical-mechanical root canal preparation consists in a thorough removal of any content from the pulp space, including inflamed pulp, bacteria, as well as canal filling materials.Aim. The aim of the study was to analyse the efficacy of the XP-endo Finisher and the Brush-Finisher on the removal of a calcium hydroxide dressing.Material and Methods. The study was conducted using extracted single-rooted human teeth prepared according to sample standardization. Calcium hydroxide with iodoform was inserted into the canals. After two weeks, canal cleaning was performed with the use of 2% sodium hypochlorite solution and both finisher files. A conventional endodontic needle and syringe (SNI) were used in the control group. Following rinsing activation, two projection radiographs were performed and uploaded to software developed specifically for the study. The graphic files were evaluated in terms of the remaining amount of dressing. In order to analyse whether the percentage of the canal area that remained untreated was statistically significant, the Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test with Dunn’s post-hoc test were employed.Results. The intracanal dressing was most effectively removed in the XP-endo Finisher group (in both projections 96.32% and 91.35%), and its removal was considerably better than that in the control group (p<0.0001), although not significantly different from the Brush-Finisher group (89.68% and 81.85%).Conclusions. Supplementary irrigant activation with either the XP-endo Finisher or the Brush-Finisher improved the removal of calcium hydroxide from the root canal walls.