Radicular dentinal defects incidence after using EDTA gel with different root canal instrumentation techniques

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of dentinal defect formation after using EDTA gel during root canal preparations by three different instrumentation techniques. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty maxillary central incisors were decoronated and roots were embedded in resin blocks. Twenty samples were left unprepared (Control group), and the remaining 120 samples were divided into three groups. Each group was divided equally into two subgroups according to the use of EDTA gel during root canal instrumentation. Roots were prepared with hand file (Group 1), ProTaper Universal (Group 2) and WaveOne (Group 3). Roots were sectioned 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex, and the cut surface was observed microscopically and the presence of dentinal defects was checked. The differences between groups were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Results: Unprepared roots did not show any dentinal defects. Dentinal defects were observed in all prepared roots. The difference between experimental groups and subgroups regarding the incidence of dentinal defects was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Canal preparation using hand or rotary files created radicular dentinal defects. The use of EDTA gel during root canal preparation did not reduce the incidence of dentinal defects.