title: A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of different root canal irrigation regimens.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of endodontic irrigants in removing the smear layer from instrumented root canal walls using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The endodontic irrigants used were: 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); 1% NaOCl mixed to 17% EDTAC; 2% chlorhexidine gel; and Ricinus communis gel. Photomicrographs of the middle and apical thirds were evaluated with the aid of the Fotoscore - v. 2.0 software. The results indicated that the mixture of sodium hypochlorite and EDTAC completely removed the smear layer from dentinal walls. The other endodontic irrigants were not as efficient in cleansing the root canals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Dentistry of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo.
authors.forename: Chaves Medici
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Mônika
authors.forename: Izabel Cristina
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Fröner
mesh_terms: D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000592:standards* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012278:Ricinus; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D018915:Root Canal Preparation; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C033443:EDTAC; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D002710:Chlorhexidine