Effect of Finisher Gentlefile brush, XP-endo Finisher and ultrasonic irrigation for the removal of calcium hydroxide paste from root canal

Eliminating residual calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)₂] intracanal medicament from the walls of a root canal presents a persistent obstacle that can impede the establishment of a proper fluid-tight seal during obturation. The effective removal of these medicaments from the canal walls has consistently posed a significant challenge. Consequently, several systems have been developed and assessed in order to address this issue. Therefore, it is of interest to compare the efficacy of Finisher Gentlefile Brush, XP-endo Finisher and Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI) on the removal of an oil-based Ca(OH)₂ paste. 60 human mandibular extracted premolars were selected and underwent preparation with Pro Taper Gold rotary file system till size F5. The canals were dried and filled with Metapex and stored for a week. Further, the specimens were divided into 3 groups depending upon the Metapex removal protocols, namely, Finisher Gentlefile Brush, XP-endo Finisher, and PUI. Afterward, the specimens were sectioned buccolingually. Evaluation of remnants was done with a scoring system under a dental microscope at 25x magnification. The data was analyzed using the Chi-square test (p<.05). With the exception of PUI, all the methods demonstrated significantly better performance, with Finisher Gentlefile Brush being the most effective across all canal thirds (p<.05). While none of the methods achieved complete cleanliness, Finisher Gentlefile Brush exhibited exceptional results compared to the other two systems employed.