Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of diode LASER activated irrigation in the removal of GuttaFlow Bioseal root canal filling material during retreatment. MATERIALS AND SUBJECTS: Root canals of forty-five single-rooted human mandibular premolar teeth were prepared with ProTaper Universal rotary system and obturated with lateral condensation obturation technique using Gutta Percha and Roeko GuttaFlow Bioseal root canal sealer. All specimens were retreated with ProTaper Universal Retreatment System files then divided to three different groups according to the technique of activation of irrigation. Samples were sectioned, and the residual filling remnants were captured using digital camera attached to microscope. Data was collected by three different interpreters, to eliminate the subjectivity of the process, using the ImageJ Software. The mean value of the data was obtained and evaluated statistically. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The remaining filling materials in the canals irrigated with ultrasonic activation (6.17 ± 1.42 at coronal level, 10.93 ± 1.91at middle level, and 14.58 ± 2.23 at apical level) were less than these irrigated with LASER activation (15.87 ± 3.78 at coronal level, 21.28 ± 4.44 at middle level, and 27.06 ± 2.68 at apical level). Maximum amount of remaining filling materials was present in the canals irrigated with passive side-vented syringe (23.07 ± 3.22 at coronal level, 38.09 ± 7.27 at middle level, and 34.24 ± 9.77 at apical level). CONCLUSION: The activation of irrigation techniques used were incapable of complete removal of filling material at root canal walls.