Impact of 6% citric acid and endoactivator as irrigation adjuncts on obturation quality and pulpectomy outcome in primary teeth

Abstract

AimThis study was aimed to assess the impact of 6% citric acid and endoactivator as final irrigating adjuncts on clinical & radiographic outcome of pulpectomy in primary teeth & quality of obturation while following standardized biomechanical procedure. Methods91 primary teeth in 67 children (mean age 5.69 ± 1.896 years) selected for pulpectomy were randomly distributed on the basis of final irrigant into four Groups: Group 1 (CA + E) Citric acid along with endoactivator; Group 2 (CA) Citric acid; Group 3 (SH + E) sodium hypochlorite using endoactivator and Group 4(SH) sodium hypochlorite (Control group). All teeth were assessed radiographically for quality of obturation and followed for 12 months. ResultsAll groups were significantly (p = .001) effective in alleviating pain within 24 h of pulpectomy (60% in citric acid groups & 40% in non citric acid groups). Maximum no. of optimal fillings were observed in Group 1 (CA + E) (33.3%) though it was statistically insignificant. Overall clinical and radiographic success rate was 98.86% & 97.7% respectively. ConclusionInclusion of 6% citric acid and endoactivator as irrigation adjuncts for primary teeth is beneficial in achieving better quality of obturation and also earlier alleviation of pain.