In vitro evaluation of apical extrusion of bacteria following use of new rotary instrumentation system

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of bacteria extruded apically from extracted teeth ex vivo after canal instrumentation using two engine-driven nickel-titanium instruments (Flex Master and V-Taper). Seventy extracted maxillary central incisor teeth were used. After preparing access cavities, root canals were contaminated with a suspension of Enterococcus faecalis, then dried. The contaminated roots were divided into two experimental groups of 30 teeth each and one control group of 10 teeth. Bacteria extruded from the apical foramen during instrumentation were collected into vials. The microbiological samples from the vials were incubated in culture media for 24 hours. Colonies of bacteria were counted, and the results were given as number of colony-forming units. The data obtained were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U-tests, with alpha = 0.05 as the level for statistical significance. Results showed that there was no significant difference as to the number of extruded bacteria between the two engine-driven systems (P > 0.05). Both engine-driven nickel-titanium systems extruded bacteria through the apical foramen.