Effect of Diode Laser-Activated EDTA and Citric Acid, With or Without Orange Oil, on the Removal of Bioceramic Root Canal Sealers: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of diode laser–activated ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or citric acid (with and without orange oil solvent) for bioceramic sealer removal throughout endodontic retreatment. Methods: Fifty extracted single-rooted premolars were obturated using a bioceramic-based sealer and incubated at 37°C and 95% humidity for 4 weeks. The teeth were randomly assigned to the following five groups ( n = 10): Group 1 used 20% citric acid with diode laser activation, Group 2 used 17% EDTA with laser, Group 3 combined citric acid and orange oil solvent with laser, Group 4 combined EDTA and solvent with laser, Group 5 served as control with mechanical retreatment only. After retreatment, teeth sectioned and examined at coronal, middle, and apical thirds. The primary measured outcome was the percentage of uncleaned canal surface area after retreatment. Results: Two-way analysis of variance had revealed statistically significant differences between treatment groups ( P < 0.001) and region ( P < 0.001). The interaction effect (subgroup × region) is also significant ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results confirm that diode laser activation of EDTA and citric acid (with and without of orange oil solvent) significantly decreased percentage of uncleaned canal surface area after retreatment in comparison with mechanical retreatment only.