Capacidade dos protocolos de ativação de irrigação na remoção de dentina e debris dos canais radiculares

Abstract

The removal of debris during root canal irrigation is very important in cleaning and decontaminating the root canal system, allowing for a better performance and flow of the irrigating substance. In this sense, some devices and techniques have been developed to improve irrigation efficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate the volume of dentin removed after different activation protocols for final irrigation and the effectiveness of activation protocols in removing debris, using micro-CT. Twenty-five mesial roots of mandibular molars were selected, accessed and their canals were instrumented with a Reciproc R25 file and irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl. The final irrigation was performed with 17% EDTA and the specimens were divided into five groups, according to the activation techniques used during the final irrigation (n=5): conventional irrigation (IC), ultrasonic irrigation (IU), lime XP Clean (XPC), XP-endo Finisher (XP) and Easy clean (EC) file. Teeth were scanned by micro-CT at three times: before and after instrumentation and after irrigation activation protocols. The volume of dentin removed and the reduction of debris were evaluated using the Image J software. Data were submitted to ANOVA, Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests with a significance level of 5%. The results showed no significant difference between the initial volumes of the canal between groups. The conventional irrigation protocol promoted a lower percentage of dentin removal when compared to the experimental groups (P<0.05); between the experimental groups, there was no significant difference (P>0.05). Regarding the percentage of debris removed, no statistical difference was observed between the irrigation protocols used (P>0.05). It can be concluded that the activation protocols used in this study during the final irrigation did not show benefits with regard to debris removal when compared to the conventional irrigation technique.