Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2021 Jun 9:12:e22.
doi: 10.34172/jlms.2021.22. eCollection 2021.

A Comparative Evaluation of Smear Layer Removal Using Erbium:YAG Laser-Activated Irrigation, Sonic Irrigation, and Manual Dynamic Irrigation: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Gourav Thapak  1 , Ashtha Arya  1 , Mandeep S Grewal  1 , Anshul Arora  1
Affiliations

A Comparative Evaluation of Smear Layer Removal Using Erbium:YAG Laser-Activated Irrigation, Sonic Irrigation, and Manual Dynamic Irrigation: A Scanning Electron Microscope Study

Gourav Thapak et al. J Lasers Med Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: The conventional chemomechanical procedures are ineffective in complete disinfection of the pulp space due to the complexities of the root canal architecture. The present study aims to compare the efficacy of erbium: YAG laser-activated irrigation, sonic irrigation, and manual dynamic irrigation in the removal of the smear layer through a scanning electron microscope study. Methods: Fifty extracted single rooted mandibular premolars with single canal were used and instrumented until F3 ProTaper rotary file reached the working length. Upon the completion of the canal preparation, each specimen was irrigated with 3 mL of 4% NaOCl for 3 minutes, 3 mL saline for 1 minute and 3 mL of 17% EDTA for 3 minutes. The teeth were assigned to three experimental groups (n=15 each): manual dynamic irrigation, sonic irrigation (EndoActivator), and Er:YAG laser using an X pulse tip. Root canals were sectioned longitudinally and the smear layer at the apical, middle and coronal third was examined under a scanning electron microscope. Smear layer scores were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests at P = 0.05. Results: The Er:YAG laser group showed significantly lower smear layer scores in the apical third as compared to all other groups. EndoActivator resulted in better cleaning efficacy at the apical area compared to manual dynamic agitation. Conclusion: This study showed results in favor of Er:YAG with an X-pulse tip followed by EndoActivator activation.

Keywords: Erbium:YAG laser-activated irrigation; Manual dynamic agitation; Smear layer; Sonic irrigation.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. McComb D, Smith DC. A preliminary scanning electron microscopic study of root canals after endodontic procedures. J Endod. 1975;1:238–42. doi: 10.1016/s0099-2399(75)80226-3. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Elnaghy AM, Mandorah A, Elsaka SE. Effectiveness of XP-endo finisher, Endoactivator and File agitation on debris and smear layer removal in curved root canals: a comparative study. Odontology. 2017;105(2):178–183. doi: 10.1007/s10266-016-0251-8. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Heilborn C, Johnson JD, Cohenca N. Cleaning efficacy of an apical negative-pressure irrigation system at different exposure times. Quintessence Int. 2010;41:759–67. - PubMed
    1. DiVito E, Peters OA, Olivi G. Effectiveness of the erbium:YAG laser and new design radial and stripped tips in removing the smear layer after root canal instrumentation. Lasers Med Sci. 2012;27(2):273–280. doi: 10.1007/s10103-010-0858-x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Martinho FC, Gomes BP. Quantification of endotoxins and cultivable bacteria in root canal infection before and after chemomechanical preparation with 25% sodium hypochlorite. J Endod. 2008;34:268–272. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2007.11.015. - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources