Efficacy of Ultrasonics Versus XP-endo Finisher for Removal of Intracanal Medications with Two Different Vehicles (An In-Vitro Study)

Abstract

Introduction: The ultimate goal of endodontic treatment is to eliminate bacteriafrom infected root canals. Intracanal medications have been thought to be an importantstep in reducing microorganisms. Different means were introduced for the removalof intracanal medications, so there is a need to investigate which irrigation methodshould be used to remove the intracanal medication to achieve a complete coronal andapical seal of the disinfected canals. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of removalof Calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) and Double antibiotic paste (DAP) with Propyleneglycol (PG) and Glycerol vehicles using Passive Ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) and XPEndoFinisher. Material and methods: 80 single-rooted extracted human teeth werecategorized into 4 groups (n=20) based on the intracanal medicament used GroupA1;Ca(OH)2 + PG GroupA2; Ca(OH)2 + Glycerol. GroupA3; DAP + PG.GroupA4; DAP+ Glycerol. Samples were stored in an incubator for 3 weeks and then subdivided intotwo groups Subgroup B1; PUI and Subgroup B2; XP-Endo Finisher. Irrigation protocolwas NaOCl 2.5% followed by 17% EDTA. Each root half’s picture was photographedusing a USB digital microscope.The amount of medication still present in the canalwas measured using the NIH image J V1.56 software program. One-way ANOVA andDuncan’s Multiple Range Tests were used for the statistical analysis. Results: Thedifference between vehicles was not significant when all groups were compared as atotal using the PUI method and XP-Endo Finisher (p>0.05). However, the differencesin the percentage of remaining intracanal medication between vehicles were significantat apical, middle and coronal levels of PUI and also levels of XP-Endo Finisher.Conclusion: None of the irrigation activation methods used could eliminate any ofthe medications. Both vehicles did not improve the elimination of the medicationsused from the root canals. Removal of the medications from the apical level was moredifficult than the other levels.