Shaping and cleaning the root canal system: A scanning electron microscopic evaluation of a new instrumentation and irrigation technique

The purpose of the present scanning electron microscopic study was to inves tigate the efficacy of a combination of EDTA, NaOCl, and surface-active irr igating solutions during and after root canal preparation with Profile nick el-titanium rotary instruments. Thirty canals were divided into three group s, instrumented and irrigated as follows: 5% NaOCl and a final flush with 1 7% EDTA were used for group A; group B specimens were irrigated using 17% E DTA, followed 15 s later by 1% TRITON X-100 (tensioactive agent) and then b y 5% NaOCl; and group C specimens were irrigated with the same combination, but once shaping procedures were completed the irrigating sequence was rep eated three times. After scanning electron microscopic evaluation, group C specimens exhibited the most effective debridement of the root canals. Resu lts showed that tensioactive agent contributed to enhanced debridement. Cle aning was significantly improved once shaping procedures were completed.