Assessment of Smear Layer Removal and Penetration Depth of Root Canal Irrigant Using Different Irrigation Activation Systems: A Comparative Study

Aim:The aim of the current study was to evaluate the penetration depth and smear layer removal of root canal irrigant using various irrigation activation techniques.Materials and methods: In this investigation, sixty single-rooted premolars extracted for orthodontic purposes were chosen.Diamond burs were used to create an access cavity, and #10 K-file was used to determine the patency.About sixty samples were divided into the following three groups (20 samples in each group), group I: Irrigation with conventional needle, group II: Activation of EndoVac system, group III: Passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI).The efficacy of the smear layer was assessed using a scanning electron microscopy at a ×2000 magnification.One-way ANOVA was used to record and analyze the data.All statistical analyses were performed with a significance level of p < 0.05.Results: At coronal third, the maximum smear layer was removed in group II (1.26 ± 0.02) followed by group III (1.84 ± 0.16) and group I (2.89 ± 0.21).At middle third, smear layer removal was maximum in group I (1.18 ± 0.10) followed by group III (1.72 ± 0.09) and group I (2.66 ± 0.18).At apical third, the more smear layer was removed in group II (1.02 ± 0.01) followed by group III (1.58 ± 0.08) and group I (2.38 ± 0.06).There was a highly significant difference found between the three different irrigation systems at all three levels (p < 0.001). Conclusion:In conclusion, every irrigation device that was evaluated was successful in removing the smear layer from the root canal.However, the EndoVac system group removed a greater amount of smear layer compared with PUI and conventional needle group.Clinical significance: With the goal of promoting cleaning that is beyond the ability of mechanical devices, irrigation is a crucial part of root canal therapy.If an efficient irrigation delivery system is used, the irrigants can reach the working length (WL).This type of distribution system needs to provide a suitable amount of irrigants up to the WL, as well as have enough flow and be effective at debriding the entire canal system.