Apical extrusion of debris and irrigant using hand and rotary systems: A comparative study

AIM: To evaluate and compare the amount of debris and irrigant extruded quantitatively by using two hand and rotary nickel–titanium (Ni–Ti) instrumentation techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty freshly extracted mandibular premolars having similar canal length and curvature were selected and mounted in a debris collection apparatus. After each instrument change, 1 ml of distilled water was used as an irrigant and the amount of irrigant extruded was measured using the Meyers and Montgomery method. After drying, the debris was weighed using an electronic microbalance to determine its weight. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data was analyzed statistically to determine the mean difference between the groups. The mean weight of the dry debris and irrigant within the group and between the groups was calculated by the one-way ANOVA and multiple comparison (Dunnet D) test. RESULTS: The step-back technique extruded a greater quantity of debris and irrigant in comparison to other hand and rotary Ni–Ti systems. CONCLUSIONS: All instrumentation techniques extrude debris and irrigant, it is prudent on the part of the clinician to select the instrumentation technique that extrudes the least amount of debris and irrigant, to prevent a flare-up phenomena.