The effect of reciprocation versus rotational movement on the incidence of root defects during retreatment procedures.

Aim: To compare the incidence of dentinal defects caused by reciprocating and rotary techniques during retreatment procedures.

Methodology: One hundred and twenty extracted mandibular premolars with single canals were selected. Twenty teeth were left unprepared. The root canals in the remaining 100 teeth were prepared with K-files up to size 35 and filled with Gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer using a passive cold lateral compaction technique. Twenty canals were filled and received no further treatment. Eighty teeth were divided into four groups (n = 20 in each) to undergo the removal of the root filling. In groups 1 and 2, the root filling was removed using ProTaper Retreatment files and Reciproc files, respectively, and the canals were not refilled. In groups 3 and 4, the root filling was removed using ProTaper Retreatment files and Reciproc files, respectively, and the canals were then refilled using a conventional cold lateral compaction technique. The roots were sectioned horizontally at 3, 6 and 9 mm from the root apex and observed under a stereomicroscope at 20× magnification. Defects were categorized as no defect, incomplete defect and fracture. The differences between the groups were analysed using the chi-square exact test (P = 0.05).

Results: No defects were observed in the unprepared and filled groups, in contrast to the experimental groups. In the coronal thirds, groups 2 and 4 had more dentinal defects than groups 1 and 3 (P < 0.05). In the middle thirds, group 4 had more defects than group 1 (P < 0.05). In the apical thirds, group 2 had fewer defects than did group 3 and group 4. Also, group 3 had more defects than group 1 (P < 0.05). When comparing the experimental groups, there were no significant differences with regard to fracture (P > 0.05).

Conclusions: Both nickel-titanium systems were associated with dentinal defects during retreatment procedures in extracted premolar teeth.