A scanning electron microscopy study of root surface smear layer removal after topical application of EDTA plus a detergent

José Eduardo Cezar Sampaio,Letícia Helena Theodoro,Fábio Renato Manzolli Leite,Flávia Pavan Campos,Gibson Luiz Pilatti

doi:10.1590/s1678-77572005000300009

José Eduardo Cezar Sampaio, Letícia Helena Theodoro + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1678-77572005000300009

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare root surface smear layer removal following topical application of EDTA and EDTA-T (Texapon). Extracted human teeth had their cementum removed and were mechanically scaled. A total of 220 root specimens were obtained and were randomly assigned to the following groups: I-saline solution (control), II-EDTA; III-EDTA-T. Groups II and III specimens were assigned to different EDTA gel concentrations: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 24%. Smear layer removal score was assessed for each specimen by scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that EDTA and EDTA-T gel led to a higher root surface smear layer removal when compared to the control group. The 5% EDTA gel also showed a higher smear layer removal than the 15%, 20% and 24% EDTA gels (p<0.05). No difference could be found between the different concentrations of EDTA-T gels tested (p>0.05). EDTA gels had statistically significantly lower smear layer scores than the EDTA-T gels for the 5% and 10% concentrations. The results suggested that topical application of EDTA or EDTA-T gel led to significant smear layer removal of the mechanically treated root surfaces. The addition of a detergent to the EDTA gel formula did not improve smear layer removal of the root surface.

Highlights

One of the goals of periodontal therapy is to obtain predictable regeneration of the periodontium in areas previously affected by periodontal disease[14,24]
The results demonstrated that EDTA and EDTA gel with Texapon detergent (EDTA-T) gel led to a higher root surface smear layer removal when compared to the control group
The results suggested that topical application of EDTA or EDTAT gel led to significant smear layer removal of the mechanically treated root surfaces

Summary

Introduction

One of the goals of periodontal therapy is to obtain predictable regeneration of the periodontium in areas previously affected by periodontal disease[14,24]. The key role of the diseased root surface in the regenerative process has been previously described[22] and the acid conditioning of the root surface after scaling and root planing has been introduced as a promising procedure for endotoxins and smear layer removal[21,23]. Clinical studies have not demonstrated significant clinical differences[9,10] This smear layer removal and dentinal tubules exposure have been described as factors that may favor clot stabilization in the earliest stages of periodontal healing event by increasing blood cells and fibrin adhesion to the root surface[3], or even improving the retention of some substances such as enamel matrix on the root surface which would act as growth factors in the periodontal healing process[13]. The use of etching agents in gel form may provide a better control of the area that must be conditioned, once the liquid form may drop on the adjacent tissue[10]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion