Evaluation of Root Canal Cleanliness on Using a Novel Irrigation Device with an Ultrasonic Activation Technique: An Ex Vivo Study

Root canal preparation generates inorganic and organic tissue debris. Various irrigation techniques are used to remove the smear layer from the root canal system. The present study aimed to evaluate canal cleanliness using a novel irrigation device with ultrasonic and manual irrigation in extracted teeth. Twenty-one freshly extracted single-rooted teeth with specified inclusion and exclusion criteria were collected for the present study. The specimens were prepared to a size using a rotary file to size 30 and 6% taper preparation. The specimens were then divided into three groups: group I, Manual irrigation group (n = 7), group II, Automated irrigation (n = 7), group III, Passive ultrasonic irrigation (n = 7). Following the experimental irrigation, the teeth were subjected to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in both smear layer and debris scores were seen in group III as compared to the other groups. Based on Hulsmann's scoring method, it was found that the automated root canal irrigation device showed better canal cleanliness when compared with the manual irrigation technique but was less effective than passive ultrasonic irrigation.