Efficacy of Different Disinfection Technologies in Molar Non-Surgical Retreatment

Post-treatment apical periodontitis is commonly associated with persistent intracanal infection following root canal treatment. Effective disinfection of the complex root canal system during nonsurgical retreatment remains challenging due to anatomical complexities that may harbor microbial biofilms. Conventional retreatment protocols typically involve nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation combined with irrigation using sodium hypochlorite and activation techniques such as Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI). The GentleWave System (GWS) is a minimally invasive irrigation technology designed to enhance tissue dissolution and microbial removal through multisonic energy, advanced fluid dynamics, and negative pressure. Although preliminary studies suggest promising results in root canal disinfection and patient outcomes, high-level clinical evidence comparing GWS with conventional retreatment techniques remains limited, particularly in molar teeth with post-treatment apical periodontitis. This randomized clinical study aims to compare the disinfection efficacy of GWS with a conventional nickel-titanium rotary instrumentation protocol combined with PUI in nonsurgical retreatment of molars with post-treatment apical periodontitis. Intracanal bacterial load will be quantified using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and microbial composition will be analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Residual organic debris will be evaluated using the chairside diagnostic device Endocator and facultative bacterial culturing. Postoperative pain levels will also be recorded to assess short-term clinical outcomes. The results of this study will provide clinical evidence regarding the comparative effectiveness, safety, and potential advantages of advanced irrigation technology for root canal disinfection in complex retreatment cases.

NCT Number	NCT07469150
Lead Sponsor	University of Alabama at Birmingham
Conditions	Apical Periodontitis
Enrollment	60 participants
Start Date	2027-07
Primary Completion	2030-06 (estimated)
Study Completion	2030-12 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-04-08