An in vitro comparison study to quantitate the debridement ability of hand, sonic, and ultrasonic instrumentation

Abstract

This study compared, histologically and quantitatively, the debridement ability of hand, sonic, and ultrasonic instrumentation on the mesial root canals of 50 human mandibular molars. The time of instrumentation per canal for each treatment group was also evaluated. Only those roots with canal curvature between 20 and 40 degrees were used in this study. The Cavi-Endo unit utilizing 2.6% NaOCl demonstrated a significantly greater percentage of canal cleanliness at the 1-mm level than any other treatment group except for the ENAC ultrasonic system. The ENAC ultrasonic system significantly cleaned a greater percentage of the canal than the sonic instrument or the Cavi-Endo/water group. Sonic instrumentation was not significantly better than hand instrumentation in canal cleanliness at the 1-mm level. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in canal and isthmus cleanliness at the 3-mm level. However, the Cavi-Endo unit utilizing 2.6% NaOCl exhibited the greatest percentage of canal and isthmus cleanliness. Sonic and ultrasonic instrumentation were significantly faster in preparing the root canal system than hand instrumentation in this study. This study compared, histologically and quantitatively, the debridement ability of hand, sonic, and ultrasonic instrumentation on the mesial root canals of 50 human mandibular molars. The time of instrumentation per canal for each treatment group was also evaluated. Only those roots with canal curvature between 20 and 40 degrees were used in this study. The Cavi-Endo unit utilizing 2.6% NaOCl demonstrated a significantly greater percentage of canal cleanliness at the 1-mm level than any other treatment group except for the ENAC ultrasonic system. The ENAC ultrasonic system significantly cleaned a greater percentage of the canal than the sonic instrument or the Cavi-Endo/water group. Sonic instrumentation was not significantly better than hand instrumentation in canal cleanliness at the 1-mm level. Statistical analysis indicated no significant difference in canal and isthmus cleanliness at the 3-mm level. However, the Cavi-Endo unit utilizing 2.6% NaOCl exhibited the greatest percentage of canal and isthmus cleanliness. Sonic and ultrasonic instrumentation were significantly faster in preparing the root canal system than hand instrumentation in this study.