Effectiveness of Ultrasonic and Manual Dynamic Agitation Techniques in Irrigant Penetration: An in vitro Study

Abstract

Aim:The aim is to compare the extent of irrigant penetration into root canals up to the working length and in simulated lateral canals after passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and manual dynamic agitation (MDA). Materials and methods:Root canals of 36 single-rooted extracted teeth were shaped using rotary files. Irrigation was done with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and 17% ethylenediaminetetraaceticacid. Teeth were decalcified in 5% nitric acid. Lateral canals were created by inserting 10 K-files and then, the teeth were cleared using methyl salicylate. Samples were randomly divided into three groups of 12 teeth each: Group I -Control, group II -PUI, and group III -MDA. A contrast solution was delivered to the root canals during final irrigation and activation. Specimens were photographed using dental operating microscope, and the mean length of dye penetration was measured.Results: Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey test, and repeated measures ANOVA. Passive ultrasonic irrigation group showed the highest penetration of the irrigant upto the working length followed by MDA. Manual dynamic agitation and PUI groups had equivocal results in lateral canal irrigation. Conclusion:Passive ultrasonic irrigation technique is the most effective in delivering the irrigants up to the working length. The effectiveness of PUI and MDA is equivocal in lateral canal irrigation, and hence, MDA can be considered an alternative to PUI, in the case of nonavailability of PUI. Clinical significance:The clinician can consider the use of MDA technique for irrigant agitation in root canals as an alternative to PUI, based on the extent of irrigant penetration.

Comparative Efficacy of Different Irrigant Activation Techniques for Irrigant Delivery Up to the Working Length of Mature Permanent Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…In the included studies, thirteen studies reported the irrigant penetration up to the WL in terms of percentage ( 12 , 17 , 34 – 36 , 18 , 24 , 25 , 28 – 30 , 32 , 33 ). Seven studies ( 13 , 15 , 23 , 26 , 27 , 31 , 37 ) reported the irrigant penetration in terms of mean and standard deviation. Retrieving the raw data from the authors was attempted through e-mail communication, but only Sáinz-Pardo et al ( 27 ) responded with the raw data.…”

“…Table 6 summarizes the results of all the individual studies. The results of six studies ( 13 , 15 , 23 , 26 , 31 , 37 ) were presented in terms of mean. Among these, five studies ( 13 , 15 , 23 , 31 , 37 ) presented the distance between the WL and the maximum irrigant penetration in terms of mean in straight and curved canals.…”

“…The results of six studies ( 13 , 15 , 23 , 26 , 31 , 37 ) were presented in terms of mean. Among these, five studies ( 13 , 15 , 23 , 31 , 37 ) presented the distance between the WL and the maximum irrigant penetration in terms of mean in straight and curved canals. Dhaimy et al ( 26 ) calculated the irrigant penetration in straight canal using an index of irrigant penetration (penetration length of the irrigant divided by the WL).…”