Effect of Using Boswellia Sacra Extract as Final Irrigant on Removal of Smear Layer

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of 10% Boswellia sacra water extract (B. sacra) as a final irrigant on smear layer removal consequent to primary irrigation with 2.6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Material and Methods: Thirty-six palatal &distal roots from extracted maxillary & mandibular molars have being instrumented and categorized into 3 experimental groups depending on the final irrigant used: (12 samples each), Group I: irrigated with 10% B. sacra extract. Group II: irrigated with 17% EDTA. Group III: control group irrigated with sterile saline. Irrigation was performed with 5ml of test substances for 1 minute. Scanning electron microscopic analysis was performed to assess smear layer removal on the coronal, middle, and apical portion for each root canal. Results: no statistically significant difference between using 10% B. sacra extract & 17% EDTA for smear layer removal at the entire root canal levels (P=0.000). However, there was statistically significant difference between tested irrigant (10% B. sacra extract & 17% EDTA) compared to control group. Comparison of the capability to remove smear layer among different root canal levels for each group showed a significant difference in smear layer removal on coronal and apical part for all assessed groups. Conclusion: The current in-vitro study demonstrated that 10% B. sacra water extract have a chelating potential similar to that of EDTA 17%. Boswellia sacra as natural product is a promising chelating agent.