Apical Extrusion of Intracanal Debris Using Two Engine Driven and Step-Back Instrumentation Techniques: An In-Vitro Study

ABSTRACT Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare in-vitro the amount of debris extruded apically from extracted teeth, using K3, Protaper rotary instruments and manual step-back technique. Methods: Forty five human single-rooted mandibular premolar teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups. The teeth in 3 groups were instrumented until reaching the working length with K3, Protaper rotary instruments and K-type stainless steel instruments with manual step-back technique, respectively. Debris extruded from the apical foramen was collected into centrifuge tubes and the amount was determined. The data obtained were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and Mann-Whitney U tests, with P=.05 as the level for statistical significance. Results: Statistically significant difference was observed between K3, Protaper and step-back groups in terms of debris extrusion (P