(TC16) Achieving a Clean Root Canal System During Retreatment: Is Alcohol the Answer?

Abstract: The purpose of this table clinic is to introduce an efficient and cost-effective method for creating a clean root canal system during endodontic retreatment by presenting a novel use of ethyl alcohol. Ethyl alcohol is inexpensive and widely used in endodontic practice. To facilitate the removal of gutta-percha during non-surgical endodontic retreatment, chloroform is the most frequently used and effective solvent. It has strong dissolution efficiency that results in softened and dissolved gutta-percha. However, a common issue is that a solvent-induced gutta-percha film forms in the root canal system that can be difficult to remove. The clinician often attempts to eliminate this layer through subsequent instrumentation or bur preparation, which may result in excessive dentin removal, or by using more chloroform. Our proposed technique avoids the formation of a solvent-induced gutta-percha film and limits the amount of excess chloroform that may be needed to predictably achieve a clean root canal system during retreatment. We are proposing that when ethyl alcohol is added to the root canal system containing chloroform and dissolved gutta-percha solution, a tacky, semi-solid mass is formed. This coagulated gutta-percha mass can easily be removed by introducing an endodontic file into the root canal system, as it adheres to the file. The addition of ethyl alcohol to the dissolved gutta-percha solution represents a simple, cost-effective and time-efficient improvement over traditional methods for producing a clean root canal system during retreatment.