Comparative Evaluation of the Ability of Four Reciprocating System to Remove Obturation Material in Maxillary First Molar - An Invitro Study.

Aim To evaluate and compare the ability of four reciprocating systems—Reciproc Blue, WaveOne Gold, MicroMega One RECI, and EdgeOne Fire—to remove obturation material using micro–computed tomography (micro-CT).

Methods Twenty-four extracted maxillary first molars featuring Vertucci Type I mesiobuccal canals were shaped and obturated using gutta-percha with AH Plus sealer. After aging, the specimens were randomly divided into four groups and retreated with the corresponding reciprocating systems. Micro-CT imaging measured the initial obturation volume, volume of residual filling material, and percentage of residuals across the total, middle, and apical thirds. Operative time was also documented. Statistical analysis employed one-way ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey’s test.

Results Baseline obturation volumes were comparable among groups. Post-retreatment analysis revealed significant differences in the apical third (P = 0.005). Reciproc Blue showed the least residual volume (0.48 ± 0.56 mm³), followed by MicroMega One RECI (0.52 ± 0.34 mm³) and WaveOne Gold (0.99 ± 0.47 mm³), while EdgeOne Fire demonstrated the highest residual volume (1.43 ± 0.41 mm³). Percentage residuals followed similar trends but were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Operative time differed significantly (P < 0.001), with EdgeOne Fire being the slowest.

Conclusion Complete removal was not achieved by any system. Reciproc Blue and MicroMega One RECI were most efficient in the apical third, whereas EdgeOne Fire was least effective and significantly slower.