BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the push-out bond strength of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to root canal dentin after irrigation with Smear Clear in comparison with 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) and saline as commonly used root canal irrigants.Material and MethodsThe coronal and mid-root areas of maxillary anterior teeth were horizontally sectioned into one-millimeter thick slices. The root canal lumen of dentinal slices was dilated using a diamond bur with 1.3 mm diameter. After the application of MTA, the samples were incubated in 100% humidity for 10 minutes and were then randomly divided into four groups (n=20) and immersed in Smear Clear, 2.5% NaOCl, 2% CHX and saline for 30 minutes. No irrigant was used for the control group (n=20). A wet cotton pellet was placed on the samples and after 48 hours of incubation, push-out bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine. The samples were evaluated under a stereomicroscope to determine the mode of failure. One-way ANOVA was used to assess statistical differences among the groups.ResultsThe control group showed the highest bond strength with significant differences with other groups (P<0.05). Among the experimental groups, the saline group had no significant difference with CHX (P=0.09) but it had significant differences with Smear Clear and NaOCl groups (P<0.05). No significant difference in bond strength to MTA was noted after irrigation with Smear Clear, CHX and NaOCl (P>0.05). Other pairwise comparisons showed no significant difference (P>0.05).ConclusionsIrrigation with Smear Clear, CHX and NaOCl did not cause a significant change in bond strength of MTA to dentin. Key words:Root Canal Irrigants, push-out, Mineral Trioxide Aggregate, dentin.