A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of the ultrasonic irrigation of the root canal

Objectives:Root canal irrigation plays an important role in the debridement and disinfection of the root canal system, and is an integral part of the root canal preparation procedure. Methods:A scanning electron microscope was used to evaluate the efficacy of the ultrasonic irrigation of the root canal. Twenty extracted premolars with single straight canals and completed foramina were selected. The teeth were divided into two groups (syringe irrigation group, group S; and ultrasonic irrigation group, group U), of which there were ten teeth individually. The specimen was instrumented manually using step back technique. After instrumentation, the final 40ml 2.5% NaOCL irrigation varies as follows: syringe irrigation in group S, ultrasonic irrigation in the group U. All roots were sectioned from cemento-enamal junction and split longitudinally. Scanning electron photomicrographs were evaluated for the mean number of visible open dentinal tubule by three observers. Results:The results show the number of visible open dentinal tubules in group U were significantly greater than that in group S. (p<0.05). In the respective third, cleaning of group U and group S in cervical third was not statistically significant differences. But cleaning of group U was better than group S in terms of the corresponding middle and apical third. Conclusions:The study concluded the root canals that were irrigated ultrasonically were found to be significantly cleaner. Ultrasonic irrigation enhanced cleaning effect of NaOCL