The smear layer was first described by McComb in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) study. The smear layer consists of organic and inorganic substances, including fragments of odontoblastic processes, dentinal shaving, microorganisms, and necrotic materials. Presence of this smear layer prevents penetration of intracanal medication into the irregularities of the root canal system and the dent...

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the efficacy of 24% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) gel and 17% EDTA solution in cleaning dentine walls after root canal instrumentation. Thirty human canine teeth were divided into three groups of 10 teeth each. In Group 1, 1% sodium hypochlorite was used as the irrigating solution; in Group 2, 1% sodium hypochlorite was used with 17% ED...

Introduction As the root canal system considered to be complex and unpredictable, using root canal irrigants and medicaments are essential in order to enhance the disinfection of the canal. Sodium hypochlorite is the most common irrigant in endodontics. Despite its excellent antimicrobial activity and tissue solubility, sodium hypochlorite lacks some important properties such as substantivity a...

The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the burnishing effect of saline application on dentin specimens (NaCl 0.9%). Seventy-two dentin specimens (60 experimental and 12 controls) were equally divided into two groups. In Group A; sub-groups I, II, III, IV and V were respectively soaked with saline for 5 s, 10 s, 30 s, 1 min and 2 min. Group VI was soaked in citric acid for 3 min and ...

OBJECTIVE This study investigates the effects of Nd:YAG laser irradiation combined with different irrigation protocols on the marginal seal of root fillings. BACKGROUND DATA Limited information exists regarding the effects of morphologic changes to root canal (RC) walls after Nd:YAG laser irradiation after smear-layer removal with EDTA on the sealing ability of root fillings. METHODS The 75...

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the cleaning ability of the Self-Adjusting File (SAF) system in terms of removal of debris and smear layer. METHODOLOGY Root canal preparations were performed in 20 root canals using an SAF operated with a continuous irrigation device. The glide path was initially established using a size 20 K-file followed by the SAF file that was operated in the roo...

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of ultrasonication with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and a mixture of tetracycline isomer, an acid, and a detergent (MTAD) as final canal irrigants on the smear layer, debris and erosion scores. Fifty-eight extracted single-rooted human teeth were instrumented with ProTaper rotary files up to size F3. According to the final irrigati...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the ultramorphology of the root surfaces induced by mechanical instrumentation performed using conventional curettes or piezoelectric scalers when used single-handedly or with a combined technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS Thirty single-rooted teeth were selected and divided into 3 groups: Group A, instrumentation with curettes; Group B instr...

Mechanical instrumentation of root canals produces a smear layer that adversely affects the root canal seal. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of MTAD and citric acid solutions used with self-adjusting file (SAF) system on smear layer. Twenty-three single-rooted human teeth were used for the study. Canals were instrumented manually up to a number 20 K file size. SAF was used to pre...