title: Effect of EndoActivator and Er,Cr:YSGG laser activation of Qmix, as final endodontic irrigant, on sealer penetration: A Confocal microscopic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Through chemomechanical debridement of the root canal is a primary requisite for successful endodontic therapy. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of using QmiX alone, QmiX with EndoActivator and QmiX with Er,Cr:YSGG laser for final irrigation on sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules.
  
  
  METHODS
  75 extracted human mandibular premolar teeth were treated with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation. The samples were divided into 5 groups according to the final irrigation solution used: (1) 17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl, (2) QmiX (3) QmiX with Er,Cr:YSGG laser and (4) QmiX with EndoActivator (5) 2.5%NaOCl. All teeth were obturated using cold lateral condensation technique with gutta percha and AH 26 sealer (Dentsply; DeTrey,Konstanz, Germany) labeled with Rhodamine B dye. The teeth were sectioned at distances of 2 and 5 from root apex. Total percentage and maximum depth of sealer penetration were measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results of one way Anova analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the percentage and depth of sealer penetration among all groups at 3 and 5 mm level sections (P< .05). Within the groups maximum sealer penetration was recorded for Er,Cr:YSGG laser activated group. Greater depth of sealer penetration was recorded at 5mm as compared to 3mm in all the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Activation of QMix using EndoActivator and Er,Cr:YSGG laser enhanced the sealer penetration at apical and middle third. Thus Er,Cr:YSGG laser and EndoActivator may act as an appropriate adjunct during chemomechanical preparation of the root canal.Key words:EndoActivator, Er,Cr:YSGG laser, Qmix, confocal microscopy, sealer penetration.
authors.affiliation: MDS, Associate Professor, Department of Conservative dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi- 110002, India.
authors.forename: Sarika
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chaudhry
authors.affiliation: MDS, Senior resident, Department of conservative dentistry and endodontics, maulana azad institute of dental sciences, New Delhi- 110002, India.
authors.forename: Sudha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yadav
authors.affiliation: MDS, Professor & Head of Department, Department of Conservative dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi- 110002, India.
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talwar
authors.affiliation: MDS, Director-Principal, Department of Conservative dentistry & Endodontics, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences, New Delhi- 110002, India.
authors.forename: Mahesh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verma