Evaluation of ProTaper Ultimate, ProTaper Next, and ProTaper Gold system instruments for debris and irrigant extrusion

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this investigation was to compare recently released ProTaper Ultimate system (PTU) instruments, ProTaper Next (PTN), and ProTaper Gold (PTG) in terms of apically extruded debris and irrigant.

Methodology: Forty-five human extracted mandibular molar teeth had their mesial roots decoronated. The roots were then split into three groups (n = 15) for the root canal preparation system: PTU, PTG, and PTN. Using the Myers and Montgomery technique, the roots were embedded in the experimental apparatus to collect and analyze the extruded material. The root canals were prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions. The weights of the extruded debris and irrigant were analyzed using ANOVA with post hoc Tukey tests to evaluate the level of significance (p < 0.05).

Results: The PTU group produced the least amount of irrigant and debris. The amount of extruded irrigant produced by each group was statistically significantly comparable (p > 0.05). PTU produced lower debris weight than PTG in terms of debris extrusion (p < 0.05). For apically extruded debris, no statistically significant differences were observed among the other comparison pairs (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: For apically extruded irrigant extrusion, the investigated instrument systems produced comparable results. Similar to PTG, the recently introduced PTU method showed promising findings.