A Comparative Evaluation of Intracanal Calcium Hydroxide Removal with Hand File, Rotary File, and Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation: An Study.

AIM

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of hand file (K-file), rotary file (HERO shaper), and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI; U-file) in removing Ca(OH) from the root canal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty single-rooted teeth were collected and decoronated to standardize the length to 14 mm. Cleaning and shaping were conducted using HERO shaper rotary files (up to no. 25, 4% taper). Ca(OH) powder was mixed with normal saline and filled into the canals using lentulo spiral and the orifice was sealed with zinc oxide eugenol. After 7 days of incubation, samples were divided into three groups of 10 samples each: Group I (hand files)-no. 20 K-file; Group II (rotary files)-no. 25, 4% HERO shaper; Group III (PUI)-no. 20 U-file. Ca(OH) paste was removed using 2 mL of 3% sodium hypochlorite solution followed by 1-minute activation of the respective file system. All the samples were finally irrigated with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and flushed with distilled water.

RESULTS

Ultrasonic group was more effective in removing Ca(OH) followed by HERO shaper and hand file.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that PUI had the highest ability to remove Ca(OH) from the root canal walls.