title: Root conditioning in periodontology - Revisited.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Root surfaces of periodontitis-affected teeth are hypermineralized and contaminated with cytotoxic and other biologically active substances. To achieve complete decontamination of the tooth surfaces, various methods including root conditioning following scaling and root planning are present. The main objective of this article is to throw light on the different root conditioning agents used and the goals accomplished by root conditioning in the field of periodontology.
  
  
  METHODS
  20 human maxillary anterior teeth indicated for extraction due to chronic periodontitis were collected and root planned. The teeth were sectioned and specimens were divided into two groups - Group I and II. Group I dentin specimens were treated with EDTA and group II specimens were treated with tetracycline HCl solution at concentration of 10% by active burnishing technique for 3 minutes. The root surface samples were then examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the study showed that EDTA and tetracycline HCl were equally effective in removing the smear layer. It was observed that the total and patent dentinal tubules were more in number in teeth treated with tetracycline as compared to EDTA group. However, EDTA was found to be much more effective as root conditioning agent because it enlarged the diameter of dentinal tubules more than that of tetracycline HCl.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of in-vitro study showed that both the agents are good root conditioning agents if applied in addition to periodontal therapy. However, further studies are required to establish the in-vivo importance of EDTA and tetracycline HCL as root conditioners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nanda
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Guru Nanak Dev Dental College and Research Institute, Sunam, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Sanjeev
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology and Oral Implantology, Guru Nanak Dev Dental College and Research Institute, Sunam, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Harjit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Gian Sagar Dental College and Hospital, Rajpura, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Daljit
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kapoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Prosthodontics, Post Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences, Rohtak, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nanda
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontology, Desh Bhagat Dental College and Hospital, Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, India.
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jain
keywords: Ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid; root conditioning; scanning electron microscopy; tetracycline hydrochloride
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