Effect of heat and ırrıgatıon agıtatıon on the smear layer removal abılıty of calcıum hypochlorıte: A scanning electron microscope study

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the smear layer removal ability of calcium hypochlorite (CH) irrigation solution in root canal treatment and to assess the role of heat and liquid activation methods on this effect. Method: In this study, 160 single-rooted, and straight mandibular premolars with complete apical development were selected. The teeth were decoronized to a working length of 15 mm for standardization. After shaping the apical foramen with a size 10 K-file, the root canals were prepared with ProTaper Next files X1, X2, X3, and X4 in sequence. Following preparation, the samples were randomly divided into 10 groups of 16 teeth each. Group 1 was designated as the control group. Group 2 was prepared with non-heated CH and XP-Endo Finisher. In Group 3, extra-canal heated CH and XP-Endo Finisher were applied, while Group 4 received intra-canal heated CH and XP-Endo Finisher. For applications using the EDDY device, Group 5 was prepared with non-heated CH, Group 6 with extra-canal heated CH, and Group 7 with intra-canal heated CH. For Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI) applications, Group 8 was prepared with non-heated CH, Group 9 with extra-canal heated CH, and Group 10 with intra-canal heated CH. Conclusion: The control group exhibited the highest smear layer retention in all regions, while the intra-canal heated PUI group provided the most effective cleaning in all areas. Further studies are needed to better understand the potential of CH. Conclusion: The control group contained the highest amount of smear layer in all regions, while the canal-heated PUİ group achieved the most effective cleaning across all regions. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to better understand the potential of CH. Keywords: calcium hypochlorite, activation, smear layer, scanning electron microscope