IADR Abstract Archives
Effectiveness of Irrigation Methods and Techniques on the Elimination of Smear Layer: A scoping review
Objectives: To conduct a scoping review to determine the effectiveness of irrigation techniques and devices, including imaging, to debride and disinfect the root canal system with anatomical complexities.
Methods: The methodology was based on a redefined version of Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Inclusion criteria included searching electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Wiley, and Google Scholar) for techniques used to remove the smear layer from teeth with curved, oval-shaped, lateral canals and isthmuses and the different imaging techniques used. The study was limited to permanent human teeth and reported in English for the period 2010–2021.
Results: The search identified 101 study samples. After duplicates were removed, 78 were selected. A total of 53 studies were included after screening the titles, abstracts and full-text articles. Of these, 25 articles were eliminated because they did not match the eligibility criteria or objectives of the current scoping study. Articles are classified according to the type of root canal complexity and the different irrigation protocols used. Imaging techniques were listed as well.
Conclusions: The cleanliness of the canal system improved after irrigant activation. However, none of the available irrigation protocols and techniques succeeded in removing the smear layer completely from the root canal system. Additional laboratory and clinical studies are required to demonstrate the effectiveness of removing this layer with the standardization of clinical protocol. Improving the imaging technique is required to draw up optimized clinical guidelines for the chemical treatment of the root canal.
Methods: The methodology was based on a redefined version of Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Inclusion criteria included searching electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Elsevier, Wiley, and Google Scholar) for techniques used to remove the smear layer from teeth with curved, oval-shaped, lateral canals and isthmuses and the different imaging techniques used. The study was limited to permanent human teeth and reported in English for the period 2010–2021.
Results: The search identified 101 study samples. After duplicates were removed, 78 were selected. A total of 53 studies were included after screening the titles, abstracts and full-text articles. Of these, 25 articles were eliminated because they did not match the eligibility criteria or objectives of the current scoping study. Articles are classified according to the type of root canal complexity and the different irrigation protocols used. Imaging techniques were listed as well.
Conclusions: The cleanliness of the canal system improved after irrigant activation. However, none of the available irrigation protocols and techniques succeeded in removing the smear layer completely from the root canal system. Additional laboratory and clinical studies are required to demonstrate the effectiveness of removing this layer with the standardization of clinical protocol. Improving the imaging technique is required to draw up optimized clinical guidelines for the chemical treatment of the root canal.