The scope of the present study is to appreciate the cleaning level of the root canal system from organic and mineral rests, as well as the extent of smear layer removal, and its quantification, by SEM-evaluation of the root canal surfaces obtained after endodontic irrigation with different solutions.
Materials and method. 40 human monoradicular teeth, extracted for orthodontic or periodontal reasons, were selected for the study. The teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups. After creating the access to the endodontic space, endodontic instrumentation followed, by the step back technique, up to the level of the apical structure. Endodontic irrigation made use of 10 ml solution, as follows: saline solution for the teeth of group A, 5.25%NaOCI for group B, BioPure MTAD (Dentsply) preparation for group C, and SmearClear (Sybron Endo, Orange, CA) preparation for group D. The roots were longitudinally sectioned, to obtain the inner aspect of the canal, then subjected to SEM analyses. For the reference zones, the amount of smear layer was quantified, scores from 1 to 4 being given.
Results. When employing a saline solution, 80% of the samples received score 5, for expressing the smear layer removal. The same score was given to other 25% of the samples, for which 5.25% sodium hypochlorite was applied as an irrigant. Numerous samples (90%) for which Smear Clear was employed were included in score 1 category, only10% receiving score 2. Relatively close percent ratios for the samples in which BioPure MTAD had been employed were included in score 2 and 3 categories (45%, respectively 55%)
Conclusions. The increasing order of efficiency, as to total smear layer removal and dentinary surface with perfectly open tubules for the irrigants under analysis, was the following: saline solution, sodium hypochlorite, BioPure MTAD and SmearClear.
- BioPure MTAD
- odium hypochlorite
- SEM
- smear layer
- SmearClear