The Effectiveness of Three Different Plant Extracts Used as Irrigant in Removal of Smear Layer: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim In the present study, the role of three plant extracts as irrigant in root canal cleaning after instrumentation was evaluated. The effect of Syzygium aromaticum (S. Aromaticum), Ocimum sanctum (O. Sanctum) and Cinnamomum zeylanicum (C. zeylanicum) plant extracts was evaluated in smear layer removal. Methods The study was divided into different groups having 5 teeth each using various irrigating agents to evaluate smear layer removal. Group A: O. Sanctum extract; group A1: O. Sanctum extract with EDTA, group B: S. Aromaticum extract; group B1 S. Aromaticum extract with EDTA, group C: C. zeylanicum extract; group C1 C. zeylanicum extract with EDTA and two control group of 5 teeth each in group D: 3% NaOCl; group D1 3% NaOCl with EDTA (as positive control) and group E: Distilled water (as negative control); group E1 3% Distilled water with EDTA. Each tooth was split longitudinally and prepared for examination by scanning electron microscopy. Results The herbal extracts were effective in cleaning root canal walls when combine with EDTA with maximum activity of S. Aromaticum extract with EDTA group. Conclusion Under the condition of present study the three herbal plant extracts were ineffective in removal of smear layer when used alone.