Cleaning efficacy of a new root canal irrigation solution: a preliminary evaluation.
OBJECTIVE
A new product, electro-chemically activated water, was compared to NaOCl for its cleaning effect on root canal walls.


METHODS
Root canal treatment was carried out on two groups of extracted teeth with one of the irrigants being used in each group. The control group received no treatment. All teeth were split and the canal walls viewed in a scanning electron microscope.


RESULTS
The canal walls of the control group were covered by debris and bacteria. Sodium hypochlorite produced clean surfaces with the dentinal tubules open in some areas and occluded by the smear layer in other areas; in some areas bacteria were visible inside or under the smear layer. Electro-chemically activated water produced markedly cleaner surfaces, removing the smear layer in large areas.


CONCLUSIONS
The cleaning efficacy of electro-chemically activated water in root canals was considered to be superior to NaOCl.
Marais
J T
JT
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, Republic of South Africa. kmarais@edoc.co.za
D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004563:Electrochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D014867:Water; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite