title: The Effect of Fragaria vesca Extract on Smear Layer Removal: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Evaluation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Successful endodontic treatment depends on elimination of the microorganisms through chemomechanical debridement. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Fragaria vesca (wild strawberry) extract (FVE) on the removal of smear layer (SL).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this analytical-observational study, 40 extracted mandibular and maxillary human teeth were selected. After canal preparation with standard step-back technique, the teeth were randomly divided into 4 groups according to the irrigation solution: saline (negative control), 5.25% NaOCl+EDTA (positive control), FVE and FVE+EDTA. The teeth were split longitudinally so that scanning electron microscopy (SEM) photomicrographs could be taken to evaluate the amount of remnant SL in coronal, middle and apical thirds. The data were analyzed statistically by the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney U tests and the level of significance was set at 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found among the groups (P<0.001). The use of NaOCl+EDTA was the most effective regimen for removing the SL followed by FVE+EDTA. FVE alone was significantly more effective than saline (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  FVE with and without EDTA could effectively remove the smear layer; however, compared to NaOCl group it was less effective.
authors.affiliation: Dental Students Research Center, Dental School, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ;
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davoudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Gorgan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran;
authors.forename: Sayed Alireza
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Razavi
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Dental School, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran;
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Mosaddeghmehrjardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Endodontics, Dental School, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tabrizizadeh
keywords: Fragaria vesca; Irrigation; Scanning Electron Microscopy; Smear Layer