Comparison of the efficacy of maleic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid in smear layer removal from instrumented human root canal: a scanning electron microscopic study.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess, by scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis, the ability of 17% EDTA and 7% maleic acid in the removal of the smear layer from the human root canal system.


METHODS
Eighty single-rooted human anterior teeth were subjected to standardized root canal instrumentation (step-back technique) and were irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl after each instrument. Based on the final irrigating solution used, samples were divided randomly into three groups: (1) the EDTA group: 17% EDTA+ 2.5% NaOCl (n = 30), (2) the maleic acid group: 7% maleic acid + 2.5% NaOCl (n = 30), and (3) the control group: 0.9% saline (n = 20). After final irrigation, teeth were prepared for SEM analysis to evaluate the cleaning of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of radicular dentin by determining the presence or absence of smear layer. The data was statistically analyzed using the Kruskall-Wallis test.


RESULTS
At the coronal and middle thirds, there was no significant difference between EDTA and maleic acid. Both were equally efficient in the removal of smear layer. In the apical third, maleic acid showed significantly better smear layer removing ability than EDTA.


CONCLUSIONS
Final irrigation with 7% maleic acid is more efficient than 17%EDTA in the removal of smear layer from the apical third of the root canal system, which is a crucial area for disinfection.
Ballal
Nidambur Vasudev
NV
Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Karnataka, India. drballal@yahoo.com
Kandian
Sreenesh
S
Mala
Kundabala
K
Bhat
Kadengodlu Seetharama
KS
Acharya
Shashirashmi
S
D019551:Dental Disinfectants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008298:Maleates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000379:methods; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019551:Dental Disinfectants; D008298:Maleates; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; C030272:maleic acid; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite