Background: Optimal root canal retreatment was required safe and efficient removal of filling material from root canal. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the efficacy of reciprocating and continuous motion of four retreatment systems in removal of root canal filling material. Materials and Methods: Forty distal roots of the mandibular first molars teeth were used in this study, these roots were embedded in cold clear acrylic,roots were instrumented using crown down technique and rotary ProTaper systemize Sx to size F2 ,instrumentation were done with copiousirrigation of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% buffered solution of EDTA was used as final irrigant followed by distilledwater, roots were obturated with AH26 sealer and Protaper gutta-percha point F2 and medium fine accessory gutta-percha using lateral condensation technique,roots were left for 7 days with 100% humidity at 37ºC in an incubator. Roots were randomly divided into four groups according to technique used for removing the root filling material (ten teeth for each group): group I: reciprocating technique and Wave One system, group II: continuous technique and ProTaper retreatment system, group III: continuous technique and R-Endo system, group IV: continuous technique and D–RaCere treatment system. All the roots were radiographed before and after removal of gutta-percha from both bucco-lingual and mesiodistal directions using custom made platform and digital radiograph system RVG to havea digitized images. The total surface area of all root canals was measured before removal ofthe gutta-percha and the area of the remaining gutta-percha filling in the canals after retreatment procedure from both directions. These measurements were analyzed with Adobe Photoshop CS6 software, the percentage of removed gutta-percha calculated. Results: Statistical analysis was performed and the result showed group Ihad the highest mean values in removal of root canal filling material in both bucco-lingual and mesiodistal direction of dental radiograph and there were significant difference between group I and most of the other groups ,there were non significant difference between group II,group III and group IV. Conclusion: This study was showed all the used retreatment systems did notcompletely remove the root canal filling material. The reciprocating technique was most effective method for removing gutta-percha and sealer than continuous rotary technique. Key words: Retreatment, reciprocating motion, root canal filling, rotary instrument.
