Evaluation of the amount of remained sealer in the dentinal tubules following re-treatment with and without solvent

BACKGROUND: The effect of solvent and sealer type (BioRoot RCS [BRRCS], mineral trioxide aggregate [MTA] Fillapex, and AH26) on the root canal residues was evaluated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Distal root canals of 60 mandibular molars prepared up to ProTaper-F4 were filled using one of the sealers labeled with 0.1% rhodamine-B (n = 20 per sealer). Samples were divided into two according to reprocessing methods as follows: ProTaper Universal Reprocessing System (PTUR) or solvent plus PTUR. Samples were sectioned at 2–5 and 8 mm from the apex and the samples were observed under CLSM. Penetration depth, percent penetration depth, and percent penetration into canal walls were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using the repeated measures of the two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test at P = 0.05. RESULTS: The highest penetration depth was measured in BRRCS in all root canal thirds with or without chloroform addition. Percentage of penetration depth values of MTA Fillapex and BRRCS was statistically similar and higher than AH26 in all sections, except the apical section re-treated with the addition of chloroform. CONCLUSION: None of the sealers were completely removed. The type of sealant and the use of chloroform changed the amount of sealant remaining in the root canal system.