Comparison of calcium hydroxide removal efficacy of different irrigation systems and photon –induced photoacustic streaming technique

Aim: Calcium hydroxide residues in root canals may compromise sealing of filling and endodontic treatment success. The aim of this in vitro study was to compare the efficacy of four different irrigation sytems in removing calcium hydroxide from artificial groove using stereomicroscope. Material and methods: 94 intact, single-rooted and human mandibular premolar teeth were used. The teeth were prepared with the ProTaper rotary system up to F5. After that, roots had been split longitudinally and a standardized grooves were prepared in the apical part of the one half of roots. The grooves had been filled with glicerine based calcium hydroxide. Calcium hydroxide, located in the grooves, were removed according to irrigation protocols; Vibringe (Group 1), Passive ultrasonic irrigation [PUI (Group 2)], Photon –Induced Photoacustic Streaming Technique [PIPS (Grup 3)], Convantional needle irrigation. The remain calcium hydroxide in artificial grooves, evaluated under 15× magnification by stereomicroscope. Data were analyzed statistically by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The PIPS and PUI techniques had more calcium hydroxide removal efficacy than the Vibringe and convantional needle irrigation had (p<0.001). There was no difference between PIPS and PUI techniques (p>0.001), or Vibringe and convantional needle irrigation techniques (p>0.001). Conclusions: According to the results none of the techniques used in the present study completely removed calcium hydroxide from the artificial grooves. PIPS and PUI were more effective in removal of calcium hydroxide from the artificial grooves that prepared in apical region than did Vibringe and convantional needle irrigation. PIPS and PUI techniques can be preferred for removing the calcium hydroxide. Key Words: Calcium Hydroxide, Vibringe, PIPS, Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation, Artificial Groove