Purpose: to compare the success rate of BTR-pen system versus Zumax kit in retrieval of separated rotary files, retrieval time, and root canal volume changes.
Materials and Methods: Forty mandibular first molar teeth were selected. Five mm of ProTaper Next X2 rotary files were separated in the mesiobuccal canals. Teeth were randomly assigned into two experimental groups according to the file removal system used, 20 each. In group A, the broken tool remover (BTR) pen system was employed for the retrieval of separated instruments, and in group B, the Zumax kit was utilized for the retrieval of separated instruments. The evaluation methods included success rate, volumetric changes of the root canal using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), and retrieval time. Values were analyzed using IBM SPSS, and comparisons of differences in retrieval success rate were done by Chi-square test, while changes in retrieval time between groups were assessed by student t-test.
Results: The success rate of the separated fragment retrieval in groups A and B was 80% and 90%, respectively, with no significant difference (P = 0.31) between them. There was a significant increase (P=0.001) in canal volume in both groups. Group A showed significantly less increase (P=0.0051) in the root canal volume than Group B. The time consumed for successful removal of the fragment was significantly higher (P=0.001) in the BTR group (29.53±3.69) than in the Zumax group (22.88±7.15).
Conclusions: Both the BTR-Pen system and Zumax kit are successful in the retrieval of separated rotary files.