Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences

en Efficacy of ProTaper, M3, and Edge Endo Rotary Files for Removal of Root Canal Filling Materials: An Ex Vivo Study Using CBCT Endodontics Endodontics Original article Original article <div style="text-align: justify;">Background and Aim: Previous studies have reported inconsistent findings on the effectiveness of endodontic retreatment rotary files for removal of residual filling materials. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of ProTaper, M3, and Edge Endo rotary retreatment systems for removal of root canal filling materials using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).    Materials and Methods: This ex vivo experimental study involved mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals of mandibular molars, and mesiobuccal canals of maxillary molars (n=60) with ≤20-degree curvature. Canals were instrumented with ProTaper files with the crown-down technique, and obturated with gutta-percha and AH26 sealer via cold lateral compaction technique. Specimens were randomly assigned to three groups (n=20) of ProTaper, M3, or Edge Endo. CBCT imaging and AutoCAD software were used to quantify residual filling material in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds, and along the full canal length. Procedural errors, including file fracture, were recorded. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests, with a significance level of 0.05.    Results: A statistically significant difference was observed in the apical third (P=0.02), with ProTaper retaining the most (47.11%±24.59%), and M3 the least (28.47%±28.07%) filling material. No significant differences were found in the coronal (P=0.282) and middle thirds (P=0.824). File fracture occurred in 12% of the cases, with no significant difference among the groups (P=0.809). Conclusion: Based on the results, while residual filling material remained in all canals, the M3 rotary retreatment files demonstrated superior efficiency in cleaning the apical third.  </div> Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Gutta-Percha, Molar, Root Canal Obturation, Root Canal Therapy 97 106 http://jrdms.dentaliau.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-1919-1&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Fatemeh Razian fatemeh.r746@gmail.com 100319475328460016906 100319475328460016906 No Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Fatemeh Daryaei fatemeh.daryaei7@gmail.com 100319475328460016907 100319475328460016907 No Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Elham Mahmoudi dr.elhammahmoodi@yahoo.com 100319475328460016908 100319475328460016908 Yes Dental Materials Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Ehsan Moudi moudi@mubabol.ac.ir 100319475328460016909 100319475328460016909 No Oral Health and Hygiene Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Akam Saeidi akam_ir@yahoo.com 100319475328460016910 100319475328460016910 No Dental Materials Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. Hemmat Gholinia h_gholinia@yahoo.com 100319475328460016911 100319475328460016911 No Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Zahra Sadat Madani madani_z@yahoo.com 100319475328460016912 100319475328460016912 No Dental Materials Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.