Comparison of a continuous ultrasonic irrigation device and conventional needle irrigation in the removal of root canal debris.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare a continuous ultrasonic irrigation device (VPro StreamClean System [VSS], Vista Dental Products, Racine, WI) with conventional needle irrigation when used as a final irrigation procedure to debride the apical region of the root canal. The null hypothesis that there is no difference was tested.

METHODS

Root canals of matched pairs (N = 20) of extracted human teeth were prepared to an apical size of 36/.04 using Profile series 29/.04 rotary files (Dentsply Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK) with 6% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) irrigation. One tooth of each pair was randomly assigned to receive final irrigation with either VSS or conventional needle irrigation. The gauge of the needle (#30), the irrigation cycles (ie, 5 mL NaOCl, 5 mL 15% EDTA, and 5 mL NaOCl), the irrigant flow rate (5 mL/min), and needle depth placement (1 mm from the working length [WL]) were experimental constants. Serial sections were obtained at 1 and 3 mm from the WL, stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and viewed at 100× magnification for the presence of debris. The percentage of debris in the canal lumen after VSS or conventional needle irrigation was compared by using the Wilcoxon matched pairs test.

RESULTS

There was significantly less debris in the VSS group compared with the conventional needle irrigation group at the 1-mm level (1.50% [VSS] vs 9.90% [conventional needle irrigation], P = .0001) and the 3-mm level (0.45% [VSS] vs 5.16% [conventional needle irrigation], P = .0014). The null hypothesis was rejected.

CONCLUSIONS

Final irrigation with the VSS compared with conventional needle irrigation delivery resulted in significantly less debris present in root canals at 1 and 3 mm from the WL.