title: An in vitro study to compare the effectiveness of F-fle with ultrasonically activated K-fle to remove smear layer by using a scanning electron microscope.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the F-fle with an ultrasonically activated #15 K-fle in removing the smear layer after biomechanical instrumentation along with irrigation of Saline, NaOCl and with or without a fush of EDTA.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty decoronated human premolar teeth with a single canal were instrumented with ProTaper using S1, S2 and F1 series to produce the smear layer and randomly divided into two groups. Group A used Ultrasonics and group B used F-fle for activation of irrigants respectively. Each group was further divided in to three subgroups consisting of 10 teeth in each as I, II, III consisting of saline, NaOCl, NaOCl and EDTA as irrigants respectively. SEM micrographs were taken and amount of smear layer removal was analyzed by using Chi-square statistics tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most effective smear layer removal was seen only when EDTA was used. There was no statistically signifcant difference between the groups A and B in removal of smear layer.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no increase in smear layer between use of F-fle when compared with the Ultrasonically activated K-fle. CLINICAL SIGNIFCANCE: The F-fle although does not have a superior effcacy than the ultrasonics in removal of smear layer from root canals but when used along with EDTA, can be an effective alternative for the dentists who are unable to bear the initial setup cost of ultrasonics.
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics VK Institute of Dental Sciences, KLE University, Belgaum, Karnataka India, Phone: 9886530036, e-mail: sureshshenvi123@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Suresh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shenvi
authors.affiliation: Senior Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, DAPMRV Dental College, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: B Shiva
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Kumar
mesh_terms: D003786:Dental Pulp Cavity / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003804:Dentin / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; 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; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000295:instrumentation; D019227:Tooth Apex / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000295:instrumentation; D014732:Vibration
chemical_list: D012388:Root Canal Irrigants; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D004492:Edetic Acid; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite