The use of solvents for gutta‐percha dissolution/removal during endodontic retreatments: A scoping review

• Published in: Journal of biomedical materials research. Part B, Applied biomaterials Vol. 109; no. 6; pp. 890 - 901
• Main Authors: Dotto, Lara, Sarkis‐Onofre, Rafael, Bacchi, Ataís, Pereira, Gabriel Kalil Rocha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.06.2021; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Biomedical materials; chloroform; Dentistry; Dissolution; Gutta-Percha - chemistry; Gutta-Percha - pharmacology; gutta‐percha; Heterogeneity; Humans; Instrumentation; Instruments; Materials research; Materials science; Retreatment; Root Canal Filling Materials - chemistry; Root Canal Filling Materials - pharmacology; root canal retreatment; Root Canal Therapy; Root canals; scoping review; Solvents; Solvents - chemistry; chloroform; solvents; root canal retreatment; gutta-percha; scoping review
• ISSN: 1552-4973; 1552-4981
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.b.34753

This scoping review study aimed to map the evidence about solvents' use for gutta‐percha dissolution and removal during endodontic retreatments. The study protocol followed the Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines, available online (https://osf.io/5vy8n/). Reporting was based on PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews. We selected dentistry studies that considered the effectiveness of solvents in gutta‐percha dissolution in endodontic retreatments and compared their performance to the use of instrumentation techniques without solvents. The search and study screening were performed in PubMed and Scopus databases by two independent researchers. A descriptive analysis considered the study design, method/technique used for obturation, method/technique used for instrumentation during retreatment, solvent solutions tested, exposure time, and main findings. A total of 41 studies were included. Despite that, most studies suggested that solvents' use may complicate root canal cleanliness, regardless of the type of instrumentation used, and facilitate the presence of gutta‐percha remnants in the root surface. Thus, the use of solvents should be avoided and its use should only be considered if the previous working length was not possible to access without it. Despite that, high heterogeneity was observed, further studies are still encouraged comparing the performance and effects of different solvents in different clinical scenarios.