A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of activated irrigation protocol on root canal debridement – A scanning electron microscopic study

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare root canal debridement with three different irrigation systems, i.e., syringe, sonic, and ultrasonic. Materials and Methods: Forty-five maxillary anterior teeth were decoronated and prepared biomechanically using Protaper rotary files till size F4. Irrigation was done with 1 ml of 4% sodium hypochlorite solution after each file use. The samples were divided into three groups on the basis of final irrigation protocol - Group 1 = Syringe irrigation, Group 2 = Passive sonic irrigation, and Group 3 = Passive ultrasonic irrigation. The samples were then sectioned and observed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) at coronal, middle and apical thirds of root canal. The SEM was evaluated and scored for residual debris and smear layer. Results: Intragroup comparison showed that smear layer and debris removal at coronal third was significantly better when compared to apical third. Intergroup comparison showed that all the systems performed equally well in the coronal third. At apical one-third, passive ultrasonic performed significantly better than both sonic and syringe irrigation. Conclusion: Root canal cleanliness achieved by ultrasonic, especially in the apical third is significantly better than sonic and syringe irrigation.