title: Effects of three different irrigating solutions and KTP laser irradiation on apical leakage: an electrochemical study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of three different irrigating solutions (17% EDTA, 10% citric acid and 2.5% NaOCl) and KTP laser irradiation on apical leakage using an electrochemical method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty extracted single-rooted human teeth with mature apices were instrumented up to a size 35 K-file. After using each file and before proceeding to the next, canals were irrigated with 2 ml of 2.5% NaOCl. All teeth were then randomly divided into four groups. In group 1, the root canals were irrigated with a final flush of 17% EDTA. In group 2, the root canals were irrigated with a final flush of 10% citric acid. In group 3, the root canals were irradiated with KTP laser at 1 W, 4.45 J/cm(2). In group 4, the root canals were irrigated with a final flush of 2.5% NaOCl. The root canals were then filled using the cold lateral condensation method. Apical leakage was evaluated using an electrochemical method over a period of 10 days. Data were analysed using Tukey HSD and Friedmann tests with p = 0.05 as the level for statistical significance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 17% EDTA and 10% citric acid groups had statistically less apical leakage than the 2.5% NaOCl group at days 7, 8, 9 and 10 (p < 0.05); however, no significant differences were found between the tested groups at the other time intervals (p > 0.05). No significant difference was found between the KTP laser group and other groups tested at all time intervals (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  All groups were unable to eliminate apical leakage. However, final irrigation with 17% EDTA and 10% citric acid following root canal preparation reduced postobturation apical leakage compared with 2.5% NaOCl irrigation. When KTP laser and the other three irrigants were compared, no significant difference was found.
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. akustarci@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Alper
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kuştarci
authors.forename: Dilara
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Arslan
authors.forename: Betül
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kaya
mesh_terms: D019343:Citric Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003763:Dental Leakage / Q000145:classification*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017097:Electric Impedance; D055664:Electrochemical Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation; D006171:Gutta-Percha / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008422:Materials Testing; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012389:Root Canal Obturation / Q000379:methods; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016369:Smear Layer; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013997:Time Factors; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D012387:Root Canal Filling Materials; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D019343:Citric Acid; D006171:Gutta-Percha; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite