Dentinal tubule penetration and root canal cleanliness following ultrasonic activation of intracanal-heated sodium hypochlorite

Aust Endod J. 2020 Aug;46(2):204-209. doi: 10.1111/aej.12393. Epub 2019 Dec 17.

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of ultrasonic activation of intracanal-heated sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) on its dentinal tubular penetration and root canal cleanliness in vitro. In experiment 1, mandibular premolars were randomly allocated to three groups (n = 8): group A, ultrasonic activation; group B, ultrasonic activation of intracanal-heated NaOCl and group C, syringe-and-needle irrigation. Penetration of the fluorescent-labelled NaOCl was investigated using light microscopy. In experiment 2, mandibular premolars were randomly allocated to group B or C (n = 10), for histological analysis of the remaining pulp tissue and debris. Data were statistically analysed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (P = 0.05). The highest penetration of NaOCl was observed in group B, followed by group A (P < 0.05). Group B showed significantly less amount of debris than group C (P < 0.05). Dentinal tubule penetration of NaOCl and root canal cleanliness were significantly improved by ultrasonic activation of intracanal-heated NaOCl.

Keywords: NaOCl; histology; internal heating; intracanal heating; irrigant penetration; ultrasonic.

MeSH terms

  • Dental Pulp Cavity
  • Dentin
  • Root Canal Irrigants*
  • Root Canal Preparation
  • Sodium Hypochlorite*
  • Therapeutic Irrigation
  • Ultrasonics

Substances

  • Root Canal Irrigants
  • Sodium Hypochlorite