Evaluation of efficacy of SmartLite Pro EndoActivator sonic activation using adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence meter: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

This randomized clinical trial aims to compare the cleaning efficacy of the SmartLite Pro EndoActivator (SLP-EA) sonic activation to that of passive irrigation in endodontic therapy. Additionally, it introduces the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence meter (Endocator), a new endodontic chairside ATP test to assess root canal cleanliness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One hundred patients diagnosed with pulp necrosis were randomly divided into two groups. One group termed the control group, used 5.25% sodium hypochlorite and 30-gauge close-ended needle irrigation. Running in parallel, the sonic group was treated with the SLP-EA to activate the solution. To assess the disinfection efficacy, ATP levels were measured in relative light units (RLUs) at key stages of treatment using the Endocator. Additionally, postoperative pain levels in both the groups were quantified using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10.

RESULTS

The sonic group demonstrated significantly lower ATP values after activation, with mean values of 57 RLUs compared to the control group's 360 RLUs. A statistically significant difference was found in the ATP RLU values between the groups at all stages ( < 0.001) postactivation. At the 24-h mark, postoperative pain was also significantly lower in the sonic group, as indicated by the VAS scores.

CONCLUSION

Sonic activation from the SLP-EA proved more effective in reducing the ATP values in patients diagnosed with pulp necrosis than passive irrigation. Our findings also indicate that the Endocator chairside ATP test is suitable for real-time monitoring of disinfection during root canal treatments. Furthermore, sonic activation significantly reduced postoperative pain compared to the control group.