Scanning electron microscopic analysis to compare the cleaning efficiency of three different irrigation systems at different root canal levels: an in vitro study.

AIM This study compared the efficacy of conventional, endovac and ultrasonic irrigation system for the removal of debris from root canal walls, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) at cervical, middle and apical 3rd. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 30 freshly extracted human mandibular premolars with complete root formation were selected and divided into group 1 endovac, group 2 conventional and group 3 ultrasonic. After instrumentation and irrigation, the teeth were sectioned in buccolingual direction and analyzed by SEM and the results were analyzed statistically by students unpaired 't' test. RESULTS There was significant difference between mean values of cervical (CV), middle (M), and apical (A) when endovac compared with conventional and conventional compared with ultrasonic group (i.e. < 0.05) and no significant difference between mean values at CV, M and A when endovac compared with ultrasonic group. CONCLUSION Among all groups ultrasonic and endovac group showed cleaner canal walls and less amount of debris than conventional group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE Application of ultrasonic and endovac can be used effectively for irrigation of canals leading to least debris and better prognosis.