The Impact of Different Final Apical Preparation Diameters on the Efficiency of Photon-Induced Photoacoustic Streaming (PIPS) in Removing the Smear Layer at the Apical Third

Abstract

Aims: Photon-induced Photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) as an adjunct to conventional irrigation (CI) using different final apical preparation diameters on smear layer (SL) Material and method: Clinical crown was removed from forty human mandibular molars standardizing root length to 18 mm. Chamber was opened and straight-line access was established Working length was kept 1 mm short of the apex. Teeth were randomly divided into 4 investigated groups based on the final apical diameter. Group-1 (F1+CI+PIPS), Group-2 (F2+CI+PIPS), Group-3 (F3+CI+PIPS) and Group-4 (F3+CI) (Control). CI protocol (2.5% NaOCl+17% EDTA+2.5% NaOCl+distilled water). SEM magnification of 5000x dentinal tubules’ patency at the apical third of root canals was assessed. ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test were used for data analysis (p = 0.05) Results: Group-3 (F3+CI+PIPS displayed the highest mean scores (3.64±0.50) of SL removal from the apical third of the canal. However, Group-1 (F1+CI+PIPS) exhibited the lowest mean scores (1.27±0.47). Intergroup comparison analysis revealed that Group 1 and Group 2 (F2+CI+PIPS) presented the lowest and most comparable SL removal (p >0.05) Conclusion: Photon-induced Photoacoustic streaming should be considered as an adjunct therapy to improve the cleanliness of the Smear layer from the apical third.