Aim: To compare the effectiveness of D-perfect gold to protaper retreatmemt rotary files in gutta percha removal and the operational time.
Materials and methods: Thirty distobuccal roots were instrumented till an apical diameter of 25 then obutrated using the matching gutta percha cone via warm vertical compaction. Roots were kept under 100% humidity at 37 C for one month. Obturation quality was checked using CBCT imaging. Teeth were allocated into 2 groups according to the file type used, (n=15 for each group)
(A) for protaper retreatment files, Group (B) for D-perfect gold retreatment files. Time frame required to fully remove the gutta percha was recorded in seconds. Roots were longitudinally sectioned into 2 halves then examined stereomicroscopically under 20X magnification. Image J software was used to calculate the percentage of remaining filling material to the total canal area. Data was statistically analyzed using OneWay ANOVA , ɑ was set at 0.05.
Results: Protaper retreatment files resulted in siginifcantly lower amount of remaining gutta percha in relation to total canal area as compared to D-perfect files, (P ˂ 0.05). The coronal third displayed the lowest amount of residual gutta percha as compared to the middle and apical thirds, (P˂0.05). The 2 systems did not achieve a complete gutta percha removal from the canals. There was no significant differences in operational time for both file systems (P ˃ 0.05).
Conclusion: Protaper retreatment files were more efficient in gutta percha removal than D-perfect gold retreatment files.