title: Comparison of Sealer Penetration by Using Different Irrigation Techniques - An In-vitro Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main goal of root canal treatment is to eliminate the microorganisms particularly in the apical third area and to prevent re-infection. In order to achieve these goals the instrumentation must be combined with adequate irrigation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare sealer penetration by using different irrigation techniques i.e., apical negative pressure irrigation, Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI) and combination of apical negative pressure irrigation and PUI.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 48 single rooted maxillary central incisors were taken. Access cavity was prepared and biomechanical preparation was done. The samples were randomly assigned into three experimental groups based on the final irrigation technique used. Group I: Apical negative pressure (Endovac); Group II: PUI; Group III: Combination of apical negative pressure and PUI. All the samples were obturated using AH plus sealer and the sections were observed under confocal laser scanning microscope to evaluate the percentage and maximum depth of sealer penetration at 1mm, 3mm and 5mm levels. Statistical analysis was done by using two way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test to compare the percentage and maximum depth of sealer penetration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Combination group resulted in better sealer penetration at 1mm and 3mm from the working length than the Endovac and PUI group. However, the Endovac group showed significantly better sealer penetration at 1mm from the working length when compared with PUI. There was no significant difference in sealer penetration at 5mm level between PUI and combination group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination group was the only group to achieve better sealer penetration at 1mm and 3mm levels from the working length.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies , Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia .
authors.forename: Prabu Mahin Syed
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ismail
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies , Jeddah, Makkah, Saudi Arabia .
authors.forename: Siddiq
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahamed
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College and Hospital , Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: P B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Sabiha
authors.affiliation: Professor and Head, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College and Hospital , Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: M Chandra
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sekhar
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College and Hospital , Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: Gopikrishna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Moosani
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College and Hospital , Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: S Nagalakshmi
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Reader, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College and Hospital , Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: N Upendranatha
authors.initials: NU
authors.lastname: Reddy
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Student, Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, G. Pulla Reddy Dental College and Hospital , Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, India .
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Sumanthi
keywords: Apical negative pressure; Confocal laser scanning microscope; Passive ultrasonic irrigation; Root canal irrigation