Microbial reduction after using different root canal irrigation–activation techniques

Abstract

AimThe aim was to clinically evaluate the microbial reduction after using different irrigation–activation techniques including needle irrigation, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and EndoVac.Materials and MethodsTwenty-four patients with single rooted, single-canal teeth with primary endodontic infection were selected for this study then randomly assigned into three groups according to the final irrigation–activation method. Group 1 (control group) needle irrigation, group 2 (PUI irrigation) and group 3 (EndoVac irrigation). The first microbial sample (S1) was taken after access cavity preparation under complete aseptic condition then the second microbial sample (S2) after chemomechanical preparation using ProTaper Universal rotary system up to F3 or F4 or F5 according to canal size. Finally, the third microbial sample (S3) was taken after irrigation–activation, the three samples were cultured on blood agar aerobic and anaerobic, incubated for 24–48 h at 37°C, the growing colonies were counted and recorded as colony forming units.ResultsPUI group showed the highest microbial reduction, while the needle group showed the lowest microbial reduction with statistically significant difference with both PUI group and EndoVac group. While no statistically significant difference was recorded between PUI and EndoVac groups.ConclusionIrrigation–activation increases the efficacy of irrigation concerning the microbial reduction and PUI is the most recommended method of activation.