An evaluation of the effectiveness of two canal lubricants in removing smear layer.

This study used scanning electron microscopy to compare the effectiveness of two new canal lubricants in conjunction with sodium hypochlorite irrigation in removing smear layer. Both lubricants completely removed the smear layer in the coronal and middle thirds of the root canals, but only partially removed the smear layer in the apical thirds. An explanation of the findings is presented and the clinical significance of smear layer is discussed.