INTRODUCTION Controversial results have been reported when organic acids, ultrasonic instruments and laser techniques were used to remove smear layer in endodontic treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of removing debris and smear layer by Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation on the apical leakage of retrograde cavities. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this ex vivo study, 24 extracted...

I NTRODUCT ION The Er:YAG laser, emitting at 2940 nm, can be a valuable tool for root canal debridement and improved pathogen reduction during endodontic treatment. The ability to successfully negotiate and remove the smear layer and bacteria continues to be a challenge for nonsurgical endodontic treatment in root canal systems. Current instrumentation techniques use both hand and ultrasonic ir...

AIM To compare in vitro the cleanliness of root canal walls in oval-shaped root canals following automated or manual instrumentation. METHODOLOGY Forty-five oval-shaped single-rooted maxillary and mandibular premolars with straight canals were divided into three groups of 15. Automated canal preparation was performed using Anatomic Endodontic Technology (AET, group 1) and the ProFile system (...

The purpose of this study was to carry out a scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of the cleaning qualities and smear layer removal from root canal walls, instrumented and irrigated with 2.5% NaOCl, 2.0% chlorhexidine and saline solutions. Fifty extracted teeth were used in this study. All teeth were radiographed to determine the existence of a single canal. The crowns were cut at the c...

Introduction This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of two activated irrigation techniques in removing the smear layer after single-file reciprocating instrumentation in curved canals. Materials and Methods Sixty distobuccal roots of maxillary molars were standardized to create a closed system, and then instrumented using WaveOne Primary (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) in...

AIM This in vitro study is an attempt to compare the effectiveness in cleaning oval shaped root canals using Anatomic Endodontic Technology (AET®), ProFile system® and Manual Instrumentation with K-files. METHODOLOGY Sixty oval shaped single rooted maxillary and mandibular premolars with straight canals were divided in to three groups. The root canals were, confirmed as being oval shape by me...

INTRODUCTION The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of smear layer on the push-out bond strength of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) with and without disodium hydrogen phosphate (Na2HPO4). MATERIALS AND METHODS Dentin discs with standard cavities were obtained from extracted human single-rooted teeth and divided to 4 groups (n=15) according to the irrigation regimen ...

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments are commonly used for shaping the root canal system in endodontic practice. They are more flexible and have better cutting efficiency than conventional stainless steel files. The superelasticity of NiTi rotary files allows the clinicians to produce the desirable tapered root canal form with a reduced tendency to canal transportation and instrument fracture. Hy...

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the smear layer removing efficacy of the EndoActivator, EndoVac and Er:YAG laser in extracted mandibular premolars, at the apical, middle and coronal third of root canal, through scanning electron microscopy. MATERIAL AND METHODS 40 extracted mandibular premolars were decoronated to a standardized length of 12 mm. Specimens were shaped to ProTaper F4 siz...