A scanning electron microscopic study of debris and smear layer remaining following use of AET instruments and K-flexofiles.
OBJECTIVE
To compare in vitro the cleanliness of root canal walls following automated or manual instrumentation.


METHODS
Thirty extracted human maxillary central incisors, maxillary and mandibular canines and premolars with single root canals were used in this study. The teeth were divided into two groups. In group 1 (20 teeth) automated canal preparation was performed using Anatomic Endodontic Technology (AET). In group 2 (10 teeth) manual instrumentation was performed with K-Flexofiles. Irrigation was performed using alternately 3.00% NaOCl and 18% EDTA, followed by rinsing with saline. The roots were split longitudinally into halves and the canals examined using a scanning electron microscope. The presence of debris and smear layer was recorded at coronal, middle and apical thirds of root canals using a four-step scoring scale. Mean scores for debris and smear layer were calculated and statistically analysed for significance (P<0.05) between and within groups, using the Mann-Whitney-Wilcoxon and Friedman nonparametric tests.


RESULTS
At coronal and middle thirds the root canals prepared with manual instrumentation had significantly less surface debris on the canal walls compared with canals prepared with AET (p<0.05). At apical third root canals prepared with manual instrumentation had significantly more debris compared with AET group. The amount of smear layer was greater in the apical than in the coronal and middle thirds of the root and significantly less amount was in the AET group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Complete cleanliness was not achieved by any of the techniques and instruments investigated. It may be inferred that the choice between AET and hand instrumentation should be based on factors other than the amount of root canal debridement, which does not vary high significantly according to the instruments used.
Drukteinis
Saulius
S
Institute of Odontology, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Zalgirio 115, 08217 Vilnius, Lithuania. saulius.drukteinis@gmail.com
Balciuniene
Irena
I
D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016369:Smear Layer; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000648:ultrastructure
D002614:Chelating Agents; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite