title: Efficacy of etidronic acid, BioPure MTAD and SmearClear in removing calcium ions from the root canal: An in vitro study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to quantify the amount of calcium ions removed from the root canal by etidronic acid (HEBP), BioPure MTAD, and SmearClear using atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty (n = 50) freshly extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were collected and decoronated at the cementoenamel junction. The canals were prepared in a crown down fashion using the rotary system and copiously irrigated with 1.0% sodium hypochlorite. All specimens were rinsed with the deionized water. Based on the type of chelating agent used, the samples (n = 10) were randomly divided into five (four test and one negative control) groups. Accordingly, Group I - 9% HEBP, Group II - 18% HEBP, Group III - SmearClear, Group IV - BioPure MTAD, and Group V - normal Saline. Subsequent to irrigation, the solution was collected in a test tube and subjected to atomic absorption spectrophotometer for the quantification of calcium ions removed from the root canal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean concentration of calcium ions removed from the root canal (mean ± standard deviation) in all groups (I-V) were 13.32 ± 0.54 μg/ml, 16.36 ± 0.27 μg/ml, 20.04 ± 0.24 μg/ml, 18.15 ± 0.39 μg/ml, and 8.74 ± 0.49 μg/ml, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SmearClear was the most effective agent for the removal of calcium ions from the root canal. Hence, its combined use with an organic solvent can be recommended for efficient smear layer removal.
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Centre for Dental Education and Research, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Hemant Kumar
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Tikku
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Anil
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chandra
authors.affiliation: Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Rakesh Kumar
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR- Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Devendra Kumar
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Patel
keywords: Atomic absorption spectrophotometry; BioPure MTAD; SmearClear; etidronic acid