Comparative evaluation of apical bacterial extrusion following root canal instrumentation using different endodontic file systems: An in vitro study

AIM: This study aims to evaluate the amount of apical extrusion of bacteria during root canal instrumentation using K3XF, Protaper Gold, Edge taper platinum, and Hyflex CM Rotary systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty freshly extracted maxillary incisors teeth collected in saline. Access cavity prepared and canals were made free of bacterial and pulp. The teeth were mounted on the bacteria collecting apparatus. Root canals were contaminated with the Fusobacterium Nucleatum (ATCC25586) and dried at 37°C for 24 h. In Group 1 (Control group): No instrumentation was done and biomechanical preparation done in all other groups with Group 2: Hand K-files, Group 3: Protaper gold, Group 4: K3XF, Group 5: Edge taper platinum, and Group 6: Hyflex CM rotary file systems. Then, the extrude was collected, and it is incubated in Mueller-Hinton agar for 24 h and the number of colony forming units were counted and statistical comparison was done using Kruskal–Wallis test and Mann–Whitney U test. RESULTS: Hand K-files extruded more bacteria when compared to other four rotary systems, K3XF file system extruded least number of bacteria. CONCLUSION: All instrumentation techniques extruded intracanal bacteria apically. However, engine-driven nickel-titanium instruments extruded less bacteria than the manual technique. The K3XF rotary file system comparatively extruded less bacteria than other rotary file systems.