Objectives: To evaluate the efficiency of different solvents in dissolving and retrieving a bioceramic root canal sealer, BioRoot RCS (Septodont, Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France).

Materials and Methods: 110 mandibular premolars were instrumented and obturated with BioRoot RCS and single cone gutta-percha (GP) placed to the working length (group WL) or 2 mm short of the WL (group WL-2mm). Retreatment of canals was performed using rotary instruments, hand files and one of the following solvents (n=10): chloroform, xylol, eucalyptol, orange oil, Endosolv or no solvent (n=5) as a control group. The ability to re-achieve apical patency was evaluated. Next, 60 standardized stainless steel rings were used as molds for BioRoot RCS placement. The sealer molds were divided into 12 groups (n=5) and immersed in 10ml of the above mentioned solvents and distilled water as control group, at 2 immersion periods (3 and 10 minutes). The percentage of sealer’s weight loss pre and post immersion was calculated. Data were statistically analyzed with the Chi-square, Fisher exact, Kruskal-Wallis on ranks, and Wilcoxon tests.

Results: No significant difference was found between all tested solvents and the control group in terms of re-achieving apical patency and the ability to dissolve BioRoot RCS (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Re-achieving apical patency after obturation with BioRoot RCS is not a predictable procedure and will mainly rely on the mechanical action of endodontic instruments.