title: Efficacy of the NaviTip FX irrigation needle in removing post instrumentation canal smear layer and debris in curved root canals.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated the effectiveness of the NaviTip FX (Ultradent Products Inc, South Jordan, UT), a 30-gauge brush-covered irrigation needle, in removing debris and smear layer in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty mesio-buccal maxillary and mandibular first molar root canals with 20 degrees to 30 degrees curved roots were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10). The irrigation protocol after cleaning and shaping was as follows: NaOCl/EDTA/nonbrushing (NaED) group: passive use with 5.25% NaOCl followed by 17% EDTA and saline; EDTA/brushing (EDBr) group: passive use with 5.25% NaOCl followed by left and right manual rotary up and down brushing using 17% EDTA and a saline rinse; EDTA/FileEze (Ultradent Products Inc)/brushing (EDFEBr) group: same as EDBr, however, with FileEze; and control group (CG): a standard 30-gauge NaviTip irrigation needle used passively. The roots were split longitudinally and the canals examined in a scanning electron microscope. Debris and smear layer were recorded at 1, 5, and 10 mm from the working length (WL) using a three-step scoring scale and 300-mum square grid. Mean scores were calculated and statistically analyzed (p < 0.05) between and within groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison between groups revealed that at all evaluation levels EDBr and EDFEBr groups were significantly cleaner (p < 0.05) than NaED and CG, with no significant difference between them. Comparison within groups did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). All groups showed significantly better smear layer removal (p < 0.05) at 5 and 10 mm from the WL. The EDBr group exhibited no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the three evaluation levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In moderately curved root canals, a NaviTip FX used with 5.25% NaOCL and 17% EDTA solution with manual brushing as well as the same method augmented by FileEze was the most effective cleaning protocol.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program for Specialized Endodontics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, School of Odontology, University of El Salvador/Argentine Dental Association, Buenos Aires, República Argentina.
authors.forename: Osvaldo
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zmener
authors.forename: Cornelis H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Pameijer
authors.forename: Susana Alvarez
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Renato Mioto
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Palo
authors.forename: Elaine Faga
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Iglesias
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008963:Molar; D009339:Needles; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite