Quantitative Evaluation of Apically Extruded Debris during Biomechanical Preparation using Hand K-File, Protaper Next, and Waveone – An In Vitro Study

BACKGROUND: The instrumentation technique which produces least amount of apically extruded debris is desirable to use in biomechanical preparation of root canal. AIM: To quantitatively evaluate apically extruded debris during instrumentation with hand K-file, ProTaper Next, and WaveOne. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five extracted human single-rooted mandibular premolars with straight, single canal and single apical foramen were selected after radiographic evaluation and divided equally into three groups. Cleaning and shaping was done using hand K-files in step-back technique, ProTaper Next, and WaveOne single-file system. Debris extruded apically was collected into Eppendorf tubes and stored in an incubator at 37°C temperature for 5 days for drying. Weight of dry debris was measured using electronic microbalance with an accuracy of 10(−5) g. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Student's t-test, with P value < 0.05 is statistically significant. RESULTS: Statistically significant (P < 0.05) amount of debris was extruded by all three instrumentation systems: hand K-file- 1.9220 mg, ProTaper Next- 1.4940 mg, and WaveOne- 0.9940 mg. Least amount of debris produced by WaveOne was statistically significant (P < 0.05) when compared with the other two systems. CONCLUSION: The WaveOne reciprocating system extruded least amount of debris in comparison to hand K-file and ProTaper Next.