Effect of agitation of EDTA with 808-nanometer diode laser on removal of smear layer.
BACKGROUND
Near-infrared diode lasers can be used for several applications, which range from disinfection to smear layer removal in endodontics. This study evaluated the efficacy of agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser on removal of the smear layer.


METHODS
Sixty extracted human maxillary central incisor teeth were instrumented up to ProTaper F4 (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballagues, Switzerland) and then randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 10 for each group) according to the different final irrigating protocols as follows: 5% sodium hypochlorite for 120 seconds performed with the NaviTip (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) (control group); 15% EDTA for 120 seconds performed with the NaviTip; and agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser for 10, 20, 30, and 40 seconds. Specimens were observed under a scanning electron microscope, and open dentinal tubules were counted using Adobe Photoshop software (Adobe Systems, San Jose, CA). The data were analyzed with 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc tests (P = .05).


RESULTS
The number of open dentinal tubules was higher in the middle thirds than in the apical thirds. The differences between the apical and middle thirds were statistically significant (P < .05). Statistically significant differences were also found between the control group and the other groups in both the middle and apical thirds of the root canals (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicated that agitation of 15% EDTA with an 808-nm diode laser for 20 seconds was effective in removing the smear layer in the apical thirds of root canals.
Department of Endodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. Electronic address: dt_hakan82@hotmail.com.
Hakan
H
Arslan
Leyla Benan
LB
Ayrancı
Ertugrul
E
Karatas
Hüseyin Sinan
HS
Topçuoğlu
Muhammet Selim
MS
Yavuz
Bertan
B
Kesim
D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003804:Dentin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007180:Incisor / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D012388:Root Canal Irrigants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018915:Root Canal Preparation / Q000295:instrumentation; D016369:Smear Layer / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure
D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite
Agitation; EDTA; diode laser; laser; smear layer