Aim To conduct a bibliographic analysis of the research studies published in Endodontics using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) as an analytical tool over a 25‐year period. Methodology The Web of Science electronic database was accessed, and an advanced search using strict criteria was undertaken from January 1995 to June 2020 for studies in the field of Endodontics that used micro‐CT as an analytical tool. A further search was conducted between January and August of 2020 for a combination of specific terms and descriptors. For each selected article, the following parameters were recorded: field of the study, analysed specimen, publication title and year, authorship, journal of publication, institution and country of origin, collaborating institutions and countries, and number of citations. The acquired data were analysed using descriptive statistics and graphical mappings. Results The screening process identified 877 relevant articles that were classified into 30 thematic categories. The main fields of research were root canal preparation (23.8%), root canal anatomy (17.4%), canal filling (9.2%) and root canal retreatment (7.0%). The most productive half‐decade comprised the period of 2015–2019 (n = 513; 58.5%), with the highest number of articles published in 2019 (n = 146; 16.6%). The authors who lead the list as first authors were G De‐Deus, A Keleş, F Paqué, MA Versiani and Y Gu, respectively, whilst Versiani was the most productive (n = 51). The leading countries regarding the number of studies were Brazil, China and Turkey with 236, 130 and 65 publications, respectively. The University of São Paulo (n = 90; 10.3%) followed by Wuhan University (n = 37; 4.2%) and the University of Zurich (n = 18; 2.1%) were the prominent contributors by producing the largest number of articles, whilst the University of Zurich was the most‐cited institution. The selected studies were published in 140 scientific journals, but the Journal of Endodontics and International Endodontic Journal accounted for almost 50% of the publications. Conclusion This bibliometric analysis portrayed an original and comprehensive view on the progress and trends of the use of micro‐CT technology in endodontic research, and enabled a deep understanding of the development process in this field over the last 25 years.

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the percentage of penetration of three final irrigant into the dentinal tubules after application of several irrigation techniques. Mandibular premolars were divided into nine groups (n:10): chlorhexidine (CHX) + conventional syringe irrigation (CI), CHX + EndoActivator (SI), CHX + Er,Cr:YSGG laser (LAI), QMix + CI, QMix + SI, QMix + LAI, Irritrol + CI, Irritrol + SI and Irritrol + LAI. Following irrigation, all roots were horizontally sectioned at 2 mm and 5 mm from the apex and examined using a confocal laser scanning microscopy. QMix exhibited a significantly higher penetration percentage than CHX at the apical section (P < 0.05). In the Irritrol group, SI displayed a significantly higher penetration area than CI in the middle section. Statistically significant differences were also determined between middle and apical section (P < 0.05). Use of QMix with different agitation technique seems advantageous in dentinal tubule penetration.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), Irritrol, and QMix solutions used with manual irrigation and diode and erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium, and garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser activation on the bonding ability of sealer to the intraradicular dentin. The root canals of 90 mandibular incisors were instrumented, and the teeth were allocated randomly to nine groups (n = 10/group) receiving final irrigation with different irrigation solutions (EDTA, Irritrol, and QMix) and irrigant activation techniques (manual, diode laser, and Er,Cr:YSGG laser). Following endodontic filling, three sections of 1-mm thickness were obtained from the middle third of each root. The root filling was subjected to a push-out test to examine the bond strength of the sealer to dentin. The test data were examined using analysis of variance with a significance level of ɑ < .05. Failure modes were determined by stereomicroscopy, and the surface characteristics of dentin were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Irritrol showed less push-out bond strength than did the other solutions in the Er,Cr:YSGG laser groups (p < .05). In the diode laser groups, QMix provided greater adhesion than did Irritrol (p < .05). The activation of QMix with the Er,Cr:YSGG laser increased the bond strength more than did manual irrigation (p < .05). No other significant difference was observed between other comparison pairs (p > .05). QMix provided adhesion superior to that of Irritrol when activated with diode and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers. Er,Cr: YSGG laser activation increased the adhesion of filling material with QMix irrigation.

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This article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this version and the Version of Record Title: Micro-computed tomography assessment of triple antibiotic paste removal using different irrigation methods