Context: Calcium hydroxide is the most widely used intracanal medicament to aid chemomechanical preparation to thoroughly clean the root canal system. However, it is important to completely remove the medicament for predictable success of the root canal treatment. Aim: This study was aimed to compare the effectiveness of irriganting solutions and irrigation methods to remove calcium hydroxide from the root canal system. Material and Methodology: Eighty extracted single rooted teeth were selected and instrumented using ProTaper Gold rotary files, followed by application of calcium hydroxide. After incubating for a week, teeth were randomly allocated into 8 groups (n=10) based on irrigating solution (17% EDTA, 1% Phytic Acid, 3% NaOCl, 70% Ethanol) and method of irrigation used (PUI and NAI). The sample teeth were then sectioned horizontally to assess the residual calcium hydroxide on the canal walls under Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope. Statistical analysis: The difference in the mean value of the two parameters was assessed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Tukey’s test was used for post hoc multiple comparisons between different groups. The level of significance was fixed at p<0.05. Results: None of the irrigants were able to completely remove the calcium hydroxide from the root canal. However, irrigation with 70% Ethanol presented significantly cleaner root canal walls in NAI. Conclusion: 70% Ethanol presented with least amount of residual calcium hydroxide in comparison with phytic acid and commercially available irrigants i.e., EDTA and NaOCl in both NAI and PUI.
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