Ex-vivo evaluation of four irrigation protocols for the removal of hard-tissue debris from flattened root canals and isthmus in mandibular incisors / Avaliação ex-vivo de quatro protocolos de irrigação para a remoção de resíduos de tecido duro de canais radiculares achatados e istmo em incisivos inferiores

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed to compare the effect of ultrasonic activation in comparison to conventional irrigation in the removal of dentin debris from the root canals walls. Methods Sixty single-rooted mandibular incisors with one only straight flattened root canal were selected and allocated across groups (n=15), according to the irrigation protocol: G1: conventional irrigation with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite; G2: conventional irrigation with 2% chlorhexidine gel and saline solution; G3: G1 + ultrasonic activation; G4: G2 + ultrasonic activation. Cross-sectional images were obtained and evaluated before and after root canal cleaning and shaping. Two-way (ANOVA) and t-test (P < 0.05) statistical tests were performed. Results G3 irrigation protocol removed significantly more dentin debris (p=0.0065), followed by the G1 protocol (p=0.0165) and by the G2 and G4 techniques, which were comparable (p=0.763). Conclusions Irrigation with sodium hypochlorite followed by ultrasonic activation promoted a significant reduction in dentin debris within the root canal system.