In Vitro Quantification of Residual Calcium Hydroxide Mixed With Different Carriers After Root Canal Irrigation With Three Different Techniques Publisher

Summary: Can root canal treatment be more effective? Research suggests ultrasonic irrigation might remove more calcium hydroxide than other methods. What’s your take? #Dentistry #Endodontics

Bagheri P ; Bolhari B ; Meraji N ; Kharazifard MJ ; Morsali SA ; Aryanezhad SS
Source: Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences Published:2025

Abstract

Background and Aim: This study quantified the amount of residual calcium hydroxide (CH) mixed with saline, propylene glycol (PG), nano-silver (NS), and 0.2% chlorhexidine (CHX) carriers after root canal irrigation with the conventional needle (CN), safe-end needle (SEN), and ultrasonic irrigation (UI). Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, the root canals of 190 single-rooted premolars were instrumented with Mtwo, and longitudinally sectioned in half. After smear layer removal, the root canals were filled with CH mixed with either saline, PG, 0.2% CHX, or NS. CH was removed with CN irrigation, SEN irrigation, or UI. The residual CH was quantified in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds using a stereomicroscope. The penetration depth of CH into dentinal tubules was measured under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Data were analyzed using three-way and one-way ANOVA, and Tukey’s test (alpha=0.05). Results: The effects of carrier type (P=0.0001), irrigation technique (P=0.0001), and distance from the apex (P=0.0001) were significant on the residual CH percentage. The efficacy of UI was slightly superior to other techniques in saline and CHX groups in the coronal third, and the NS group in the middle third. The irrigation technique had a significant effect on residual CH in the coronal and middle thirds, and no significant effect on the penetration depth of CH. The penetration depth of CH was not significantly different among different carrier groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The efficacy of UI in removal of CH was variable, depending on the carrier type and distance from the apex. © 2025 Faculty of Dentistry, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University.