ROOT-CANAL CLEANLINESS AFTER PREPARATION WITH DIFFERENT ENDODONTIC HANDPIECES AND HAND INSTRUMENTS - A COMPARATIVE SEM INVESTIGATION

The root canals of 150 extracted mandibular incisors were prepared to ISO 30 using eight different automated devices and hand instruments, T he automated devices investigated were: Endoplaner, Excalibur, Ultraso nics (Piezon Master 400) with H2O2 (5%), or NaOCl (1%) as irrigants, G iromatic, Intra-Endo 3-LDSY, Canal Finder System, Canal Leader 2000, a nd Endolift, Hand instrumentation was performed using reamers and Heds troem files, Fifteen teeth were instrumented with each device, cracked longitudinally, and investigated under the scanning electron microsco pe using five category scoring systems based on reference photographs for debris and smear layer, No preparation system or technique resulte d in complete removal of smear layer and debris, The ultrasonic unit p erformed best followed by the Canal Leader 2000 and hand instrumentati on, whereas the use of the Giromatic, the Endolift, the Canal Finder S ystem, and the Intra-Endo-3-LDSY-handpiece resulted in insufficiently cleaned root canal walls.