Sadhvi Pateriya, Anu Narang, Santosh Kumar Singh, Shivani Rawat, Gayatri H. Giramkar, Naman Keshwani 

ABSTRACT

Introduction : Successful endodontic retreatment depends on the complete removal of existing obturating material to allow effective cleaning, disinfection, and re?obturation of the root canal system. Bioceramic sealers are widely used because of their excellent sealing ability, dimensional stability, and biocompatibility. However, their strong adhesion to dentinal walls makes retreatment challenging. Mechanical instrumentation alone is often insufficient for complete removal, thereby necessitating the use of chemical solvents. Weak organic acids such as acetic acid, citric acid, and maleic acid have shown potential in dissolving calcium?based bioceramic sealers. Aim and Objective :The aim of the study was to comparatively evaluate the efficacy of 2% acetic acid, 10% citric acid, and 7% maleic acid in the removal of gutta?percha obturated with a bioceramic sealer during endodontic retreatment. Materials and Methods: Forty?five extracted human single?rooted teeth were selected for the study. Biomechanical preparation was completed using ProTaper Universal rotary files up to F3, followed by obturation with gutta?percha and bioceramic sealer. The samples were randomly divided into three experimental groups based on the solvent used during retreatment: Group I – 2% Acetic acid ,Group II – 10% Citric acid , Group III – 7% Maleic acid . Retreatment was performed using ProTaper retreatment files (D1, D2, D3) along with the respective solvents. The teeth were longitudinally sectioned and examined under a stereomicroscope to evaluate the amount of residual obturating material in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds. Results : None of the solvents achieved complete removal of obturating material. Residual material was observed in all specimens, with maximum remnants present in the apical third. Among the solvents tested, 7% maleic acid showed the least residual obturating material, indicating the highest efficacy, followed by 10% citric acid and 2% acetic acid. The differences among the groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Within the limitations of this in?vitro study, 7% maleic acid demonstrated superior efficacy in the removal of gutta?percha and bioceramic sealer compared to 10% citric acid and 2% acetic acid. The apical third remained the most difficult region for complete removal of obturating material.