Effectiveness of Two Techniques in Removal of Calcium Hydroxide Medicament from Root Canals: An in-vitro Assessment

Introduction: Calcium Hydroxide (Ca(OH)(2)} is widely used as intracanal medicament. However, complete removal of Ca(OH)(2) is very difficult from canal walls resulting in its residues on canal wall which interfere with bonding of sealers and reduce success of root canal treatment. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of two techniques, i.e., wave one and wave one with EndoActivator in removing Ca(OH)(2) from the root canals. Materials and Methods: This was an in-vitro study involving 30 extracted single-rooted mandibular premolar bicuspid teeth. Access opening was done followed by biomechanical preparation with ProTaper universal rotary file system (Dentsply, Tulsa Dental Specialities) till F2. Canals were filled with injectable Ca(OH)(2) (UltraCal XS, Ultradent Products, INC). The tooth was stored in saline for one week. Then samples were divided into two main groups T1 and T2 (n=15) according to the method of Ca(OH)(2) removal. Group 1 (T1): Ca(OH)was removed using wave one file alone. Group 2 (T2): Ca(OH)(2) was removed using wave one file followed by EndoActivator. Teeth were sectioned buccolingually. The amount of residual Ca(OH)(2) was observed and under a stereo microscope (30X magnification) for corona!, middle and apical third. The data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test to compare between the two techniques, i.e., T1 and T2, taking into consideration p<0.05 as statistically significant. Results: In the corona! third, there was no difference between the two groups (p>0.05). The most efficient Ca(OH)(2) removal in apical and middle third was recorded in Group 2 (T2), i.e., Wave one with EndoActivator (p<0.05) as compared to Group 1 (Ti) wave one file alone. Conclusion: EndoActivator results in better debridement of root canals when used in combination with different rotary file systems.