The removal of the smear layer using EGTA: a scanning electron microscopic study

Abstract

The smear layer associated with endodontic instrumentation is currently thought to be a thin layer that occludes the orifices of the dentinal tubules and covers the intertubular dentin of the prepared canal wall. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of ethylene glycol bis (β – amino ethyl ether) – N, N, N', N' – tetra acetic acid (EGTA) and ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) on removal of the smear layer through the scanning electron microscopy. Twenty four single rooted teeth were selected, instrumented and irrigated with various solutions and the specimens were processed for scanning electron microscopy. It was found that though both EGTA and EDTA completely removed the smear layer, EDTA caused erosion and conjugation of the tubules, whereas, EGTA effectively removed the smear layer without inducing any erosion. It was thus concluded that EGTA can be effectively used as an alternative chelator for the removal of the smear layer.

Effect of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid on Root Fracture with Respect to Concentration at Different Time Exposures

“…Consequently, the results obtained from the present study supported the hypothesis that 10 mL of 5% EDTA for 1 minute, followed by 10 mL of 1% NaOCl for 1 minute 519 AE 43 b Group 5 10 mL of 17% EDTA for 10 minutes, followed by 10 mL of 1% NaOCl for 1 minute 379 AE 41 c Group 6 10 mL of 5% EDTA for 10 minutes, followed by 10 mL of 1% NaOCl for 1 minute 668 AE 63 a n = 8 for each group. Different superscript letters indicate significant differences between the groups (P < .05).…”

Differential aggressiveness of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid in causing canal wall erosion in the presence of sodium hypochlorite

“…1 Nevertheless, canal wall erosion, characterised by dissolution of intertubular and peritubular j o u r n a l o f d e n t i s t r y 3 8 ( 2 0 1 0 ) 2 0 1 -2 0 6 dentine and coalescence of widened dentinal tubules, has been associated with the use of this dual irrigant regime. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] As these surface features were acquired exclusively using scanning electron microscopy, little is known about the subsurface characteristics of canal wall erosion. Decline in mechanical properties of a bulk specimen is unlikely to be caused only by surface alteration of the material.…”

Demineralization effect of EDTA, EGTA, CDTA and citric acid on root dentin: a comparative study

“…Although EDTA has a long-standing history as the agent of choice in Endodontics, researchers have reported its irritating potential 7,[9][10][11] . Recently, EGTA has also been recommended for root canal biomechanical preparation, since it presents a more precise action on calcium ions than EDTA 1,2,9,12,16 . Another chelating agent, CDTA, has also been reported to significantly bind the divalent cation.…”