XP-endo instruments may help in removal of the aged filling materials, Finds study

He Liu and associates from the Department of Stomatology, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, China carried out a study to investigate the effectiveness of XP-endo Shaper (XPS) and XP-endo Finisher R (XPFR) instruments in removing aged root filling material from root-treated mandibular molars.

Thirty mandibular molars were instrumented and divided into three groups-

1. single-cone obturation using AH Plus sealer (AHS) or
2. EndoSequence BC sealer (BCS), and
3. warm vertical compaction using AH Plus sealer (AHW).

The specimens were stored at 100% humidity and 37 °C for 54 months. Retreatment was performed using XPS and XPFR. Micro-computed tomography was used to scan the specimens after 54 months, after XPS retreatment and after the supplementary approach using XPFR.

The study results revealed that the XPS removed more filling material in the BCS and AHS groups, compared with the AHW group (P < 0.05). After supplementary instrumentation XPFR, the proportion of the remaining filling material decreased significantly in all groups (P < 0.05).

The XPFR instruments were more efficient in removing filling material in the BC sealer group than in the AH plus sealer or AHW group (P < 0.05). The combined use of XPS and XPFR instruments efficiently removed filling material in the BCS group, followed by the AHS and AHW groups (P < 0.05).

Therefore, the authors concluded that the removal of the aged filling materials using XP-endo instruments from the apical area is challenging when instrumented root canals are filled using warm vertical condensation.

Furthermore, they added that although the combined use of XPS and XPFR instruments helped remove the bulk of aged root filling material from mandibular molars, material removal from canals filled using warm vertical condensation in the critical apical area remains a concern.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdent.2021.103734