Effect of Chloroform Application on Roughness and Wettability of the Root Canal Walls in Endodontic Retreatment

Statement of the problem: The success of root canal therapy depends on root canal irrigation, disinfection, and sealing of root canal. Wettability and roughness of root dentine surface are important factors in root canal disinfection and sealing.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of chloroform application on roughness and wettability of the root canal walls in endodontic retreatment.

Materials and method: This in vitro experimental study evaluated 70 sound extracted human anterior teeth. The specimens were then randomly assigned to 7 groups as follows: Chloroform (group 1), 1g gutta percha+chloroform (group 2), 2g gutta percha+ chloroform (group 3), 1g gutta percha+ 1g sealer+ chloroform (group 4), 2g gutta perch+ 2g sealer+chloroform (group 5), 1g sealer + chloroform (group 6) and 2g sealer + chloroform (group 7). One drop of distilled water was placed on each tooth to measure the contact angle and wettability. Photographs were obtained of an area measuring 50×50 µm² in three directions under an atomic force microscope to measure the roughness. The tooth blocks were exposed to the abovementioned mixtures for 10 min, and then rinsed with saline. The roughness and wettability of each sample were measured before and after treatment. Data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test.

Results: The roughness of all groups significantly decreased following treatment, except for groups 1 and 4. The contact angle increased in all groups after treatment (except for the chloroform group), which indicated decreased wettability. The roughness and the contact angle have shown no correlation.

Conclusion: Application of chloroform for removal of gutta-percha and sealer in endodontic retreatment decreases the roughness and wettability of dentine.