Abstract

Background: Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 17% (EDTA) are the most commonly used irrigants in endodontic treatment. However, delivering these irrigants into the entire length of the canal remains a point of interest as conventional needle irrigation is unable to reach and clean the entire length of the canal. Numerous devices have been proposed to increase the efficacy of irrigant delivery including sonic devices, ultrasonic devices, negative apical pressure irrigation, mechanical, as well as laser activation devices.

Objective: This study compared different irrigation agitation techniques to manual dynamic agitation using conventional side-vent needle irrigation in removal of smear layer and canal cleanliness when used with NaOCl and EDTA irrigation. Methods: Forty extracted teeth were selected and prepared using ProTaper next files and irrigated with NaOCl & EDTA. Specimens were divided into 4 groups (n=40); Group 1 was irrigated with conventional side-vent needle without activation, Group 2 was irrigated and activated with sonic energy (EndoActivator), Group 3 was irrigated and mechanically activated using XP-Endo Finisher, Group 4 was irrigated and activated with ultrasonic energy (Irrisafe).

Results: Specimens showed similar score in coronal and middle segments for Groups 2, 3, 4, while XP-Endo finisher group was more effective in smear layer removal from the apical segment. Conventional needle irrigation group had the highest scores of remaining debris and smear layer in all segments.

Conclusion: EndoActivator, Irrisafe, and XP-Endo finisher were more effective in smear layer removal that conventional needle irrigation, XP-Endo finisher was more effective in smear layer removal at the apical segment.

Keywords: Root Canal Irrigants; Scanning Electron Microscope; Smear Layer; Sodium Hypochlorite; Ultrasonics.